PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2409, 15 March 1915, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

— « ; — Perhaps the most striking feature of the war news this morning is the very general success recorded of the Allies" efforts in the Western theatre of war. The news is in some respects the most encouraging wo have had since the siege warfare which followed on the battle of the Aisne first began. It points to an offensive movement along the whole ' of the Allies' long line, stretching from the .English Channel, through Belgium ancl France, into Alsace, where the line ends near the frontiers of Switzerland. This activity on the part of tho Allies, it has been suggested, is designed to prevent the Germans strengthening their forces in the East, where the Russians are also beginning once more to take the offensive. A general survey of the situation in the West discloses the fact that in the north the Belgians, assisted by the French, have met *Ub 6U.PWSS, ant) mftdd soma jn'ojvessc tf.urkiiM eoutJi U. Fi'&aw th%.

British have pressed home their victory at 'Neuve Cbapelle, and gained still further ground, which they have held in spite of desperate German counter-attacks. Field-Marshal Sir John French, it will be noted, commcnts_ in his weekly report on the material alteration in the position at this portion of the front, as the result of the success which has attended the efforts of his troops. Still further south in the Ohampagno district and along the heights of the Meusc progress is recorded, and from across the frontier in Alsace, where tlio French forces are operating on German soil, come tidings of a great French victory west of Mulhausen, which should facilitate the progress of the Allies in this region. It is a full budget of good news. # # *■ » As has been generally anticipated, the Germans seem likely to make their next big stroke in the West at a point in the region to the northeast and south-west of Lille. This portion of the Allies' line is held by the British foroe, and it is to the south-west of Lille that they have just met with the successes of which Sir John French writes in to-day's message. The Germans, it iB recorded, continue to concentrate troops along the front from Ypres to La Bassee, but it would appear that their contemplated offensive in this region has been for the time being forestalled. The best road to Calais from the German point of view lies by way of this route, and it is fairly safe to assume that Calais is the objective* of the German commanders. It is apparently an attempt at the old device of driving a wedge into the Allies' lines, which, if successfully accomplished, would compel a retreat of the force now operating in Belgium, and might even cut it off from the main forces operating to the south of Lille. It was attempted before and failed, and everything points to the probability that it is less likely than ever to suececd now that the Allies have had time to strengthen their positions and have been reinforced with fresh troops. C »*« # • For the moment the chief centre of conflict in the East continues to be in North Poland, though there ia desperate fighting in Galicia, and there has also been a severe engagement along the Pilica River, in Central Poland. In North Poland, however, big events are in prospect. The opposing armies in this region are said to be each about half a million strong, and on the result of the struggle here much will depend. The Germans plainly are now making this their road to Warsaw, where they would be able to seriously cripple practically the whole of the main Russian lines' of communication. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the Russians should crush this movement before venturing on their grand offensive by way of Silesia. The observations of General Oba, of the Japanese Army, who is an onlooker with the Russian forces, are of interest. Naturally he is a friendly observer of the situation, but he is impressed with the belief, based no doubt on what he has seen at the front, that when the Russian offensive once begins it will sweep away the enemy, despite any successes the Germans may meet with. This may be a 6anguine view, but it is a testimony to the spirit and efficiency of the Russian* forces which must command respect. In Galicia an important success recorded is the capture by the Russians of the Lupkow Pass through the Carpathians. This pass is aDout 10 or 15 miles to the south-east of the Dukla Pass, and a line of railway runs through it, connecting with the main line to Budapest: • > # * » The enemy's submarines, though consistently foiled in their efforts and occasionally paying the penalty of their excursions around the coasts 'of Britain, continue to add to their list of victims. . The latest is the auxiliary cruiser Bayano, which ap?ears to have been torpedoed in the rish Sea. Early in the war a large number of British passenger vessels, mainly boats capable of fast steaming, were converted by the Admiralty into armed cruisers. Such as dia not already possess them were supplied with guns, and their crews" wore supplemented with naval men accustomed to the handling of these weapons. The Bayano was one of these—a fine, vessel of nearly 6000 tons, and capable of steaming ,-14 knots. Apparently a submarine succeeded in torpedoing ll her under cir-r cumstances. which it is feared bava resulted in the loss of nearly The whole of her crew. The Bayano was equipped with wireless apparatus, and as no reference is made to any calls from her having been reoeiveu by other vessels, it is probable chat the explosion which sank her at once cut on the power or damaged the apparatus. Enemy submarines have been very active off the west coast of England, where no doubt the numoer of trading vessels is larger shan usual, and it is a_ little surprising, as well as gratifying, that the toll levied on merchant snipping in this quarter has not been heavier. * # # » The , story .of the Morning Post's Alexandria correspondent that the Germans are still pushing on with the railway which is to make possible the invasion of Egypt does not sound very convincing. It may do that 'the Turks and their German commanders hope by this means to prevent the transfer of British troops from Egypt to assist the landing force which we are told is to' operate in the vicinity of the Dardanelles. Thp Turks, however, have their hands very full nearer home, and they no'doubt are aware that with the forcing of the Dardanelles and the fall of Constantinople the forces in Asia Minor would be at a terrible disadvantage in the matter of supplies of munitions of war with which to carry on their campaign. The" difficulties which _ confront a force bent on the invasion of' Egypt by the route proposed are tremendous enough at any time, but threatened in the rear, as they almost certainly would be, as well as being compelled to fight at a disadvantage on their front, the task is well-nigh an impossible one.