Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16141, 20 February 1918, Page 6

Progress of the War.

Apart from minor raiding operations and artillery duels there appear to be no movements on the part of either sido in tho Western theatre. In the neighbourhood of Gavrelle, north-east of Arras, enemy raiders were driven offj while casualties were inflicted on patrols in the Messines sector, Sir Douglas Haig's communique states. The French report mentions violent artillery duels in the Verdun region, and tho repulse of an attack on the re-cently-won positions between tho Butte de Tahure and Butte du Mesnil. The persistency of tho bombardment of the French lines north of Verdun, and the frequent launching of local attacks on this sector, suggest that either the Germans are preparing for a big movement at this part of tho front or that they are endeavouring to induce the French | to keep a considerable reserve forco in this region to repel a possible dangerous attack while they are concentrating

for au attempt to break through at some other portion of the line. From London toKlny comes the report that the Germans are putting their threat cf an invasion of Northern Russia into

execution, operations having been commenced against Livonia and Esthonia. The news from our, point of view, if true, must be considered ~ood, for the renewal of warfare on the East from must materially affect the prospects of the fc:g German offensive in the West. The refusal of Roumania to be cajoled into making peace with the Central Powers means that the Central Powers must maintain a fairly substantial army on this front, the discontent among the Poles will necessitate further forces being kept in Poland and the Pripot region, while tho armed forces of the Bolsheviks —irregulars though they be — will compel Germany to maintain considerable forccs in Northern Russia. Under these circumstances it is safe to assume that the prospects of the coming "West front offensive proving a success will be reduced to a minimum.