Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15868, 5 April 1917, Page 6

Progress of the War.

Interest in happenings on the fighting fronts aro just now rather overshadowed by other considerations. The diplomatic side of the business of war is just now coming into prominence again with the entry of America into the arena, the genuine anxiety which appears to exist in Austria for peace, and the probability of a further move in that direction on tho part of Germany. Meanwhile matters aro progressing satisfactorily on the Western front. The French forces south of St. Quen.tin have achieved a brilliant advance in the face of desperate enemy resistance, and a number of strongly held enemy positions havo been captured. Further progress has also been made ] south of the Ailetto river. The British have occupied Maissemyj a few miles

north of St. Qucntin, and have also raado progress south of Arras. A gratifying feature of Sir Douglas Haig's report this morning is that British airmen have accounted for eight enemy aeroplanes agair st six of ours, ■which are missing. The news* of success in the air will be eagerly awaited after the recent statement regarding the success achieved by the new type of German plane. Mr Beach Thomas supplies an interesting description of the Hindenburg line, which shows that the belief that this line was strongly fortified is well grounded. • Mr Thomas speaks of concrete fortifications, and adds that the German heavy artillery has again been brought to bear upon the British lines. This last statement only repeats what Mr Philip Gibbs reported a few days ago, but it would seem to indicate that the Germans intend to try to make a strong ofiort to hold the Hindcnberg line, and give pause to the Allied advance. Operations on the Eastern front continue to be confined to local operations, in which the Russians appear to have met with some success.