Progress of the War

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15869, 7 April 1917, Page 8

Progress of the War

In tho midst of numerous rumours and theories dealt with in to-day's cables regarding the future intentions of the Central Powers, tho ill-health of the Kaiser and the peaceful proclivities of tho Austrian Emperor, tho outstanding facte are that America has entered the war, and that tho Allies are steadily advancing in Franc®. The news from both British .and French fronts is particularly cheering. Sir Douglas Haig reports a considerable advance at several points on the long line from Arras to St. Quentin. Pushing on from tho recently occupied Epehy, tho British have captured Ronssoy, about two and a half miles south-east of that village, together with other small villages in tho locality. Further north Hetz-on-Couturo has been captured, and north and east of tho village the advance has been carried to the edge of Havrincourt Wood, an extensive forest about ten miles from Cambrai. and also the "Western skirting of tho Gouzeaucourt wood and a couple of miles to the south-east, and in a direct lino with Epehy, thus effecting a still more pronounced straightening of the line. The French communique is quit© as satisfactory. South of St. Quentin a series of brilliant engagements have carried the French forces beyond the dominating, position marked by the villages of Grugies, Urvillers, and Moy, all of which have been captured. Tho occupation of Grugies brings tho French as close to St. Quentin in the south as are the British in the west. In addition to this threo lines of strong enemy trenches have been carried, the enemy retreating precipitately before the irresistible French attack, and abandoning their wounded and a quantity of material. Tho fact that these successes havo been won in tho midst of snow 6qualls, and with the ground in a sodden condition, makes them the more notable, and it is becoming abundantly clear that Hindenburg's fears regarding tho failing moral of the German army were well grounded. In tho meantime Sir "William Robertson and Admiral Jelliooo havo issued a timely warning regarding tho pressing need of the army for more men, and tho urgent necessity that tho whole nation should put its shoulder to tho wheel to defeat the submarine danger.