Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16158, 12 March 1918, Page 6

Progress of the War.

In spite of the increase in the enemy's activity on the "West front there is nothing to indicate that his attacks have moro than local significance, and his aggressiveness during the past few days does not appear to have any bearing on his much-vaunted offensive, unless the operations wero intended to cover preparations for a thrust at some other point on the lino or in some other theatre. Apparently the experts in Britain aro apprehensive regarding the position in Macedonia and at Salonika, and, judging from recent utterances by British statesmen they have grounds to believe that the enemy is preparing to launch an attack in this theatre of the war. Mr Bonar Law, in the course of his speech on tho vote of credit in the House of Commons, said that the general position in Macedonia was unsatisfactory, and might becomo dangerous, as the Central Powers, with their better communications, might send forces which it might be difficult, and perhaps, impossible for us to meet. From this, and similar utterances published recently in the cables, it would p.ppear not unlikely that the German blow when it does fall may come in the Balkans, • where the enemy would certainly have more chance of gaining a victory than he would in seeking to overthrow tho Allies on the Western front. Tho capture of Hit, an outpost of Bagdad on tho Euphrates, is reported to-day, but apart from strengthening the British lines defending Bagdad, its occupation is of no special significance. Tho news relating to the Russian situation is more hopeful than for many weeks past. According to statements made by a Moscow professor a new movement is being organised throughout Russia, under the leadership of General Alexieff, with tho object of overthrowing the Bolshevik regime, and repudiating the disgraceful peace forced on the nation by Lenin and Trotzky. Whether the movement will achieve its purpose is, of course, in the lap of the gods, but it may bo that tho longed-for "strong man" has arisen in the person of Alexieff, and that out of the present chaos may come a restoration of law and order, and tho foundations be laid for a regenerate Russia.