PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2489, 16 June 1915, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Except for a minor check sustained at one point by the French, news from tho Western front to-day points to a continued successful development of the Allied offensive. Already subjected to heavy pressure on the line between Arras and La Bassee, and furthor south towards the Aisne, the Germans are now being attacked in Northern Flanders, in the region where they lately tried to force the passage of tho Yser and gain a footing on the western bank. South of Dixmude, where they had to bo reinforced a few days ago to enable them to stem a German onset, the Belgians have now crossed to the east bank and are apparently firmly established on that siae of the river. The German hold upon tho western half of Dixmude must as a result be more or less threatened. It is also reported, though not officially, that the Belgians nave taken the offensive east and north of Nieuport, and gained some ground along the coast. Tho loss of a few trenches by the French, south-west of Lenß, is probably only a momentary check and of local importance, . for the same communique mentions the capture of a German position a little further noyth. Many detail items of news have gono to justify the comments of a Times correspondent, who describes the Germans as being beaten all along the line in the area of the French offensive. He states, indeed, that the continued progress of the French points to the exhaustion of the German reserves in tho Western theatre. There is always the possibility that the Germans may trausfer some troops from East to West, but late developments in Galicia and elsewhere are hardly calculated to enoourage such a policy.

Comments by a neutral observer lately returned from a visit to Germany may easily convey a false impression unless they are carefully read. His general description of the German people as unbroken in spirit and williug to prolong the war indefinitely may be reliable enough, though any such general impression must of necessity be largely based 011 assumption. But besides presenting this general impression, the observer entangles political and military considerations and formulates broad conclusions • which it is possible to challenge on more definite and reliable evidence than he provides. To say that the German resources of men and material arc more vast, than even the Germans themselves had realised is really to say nothing at all. If the intended statement is that tho German resources of inen and material arc practically inexhaustible and show no lianß 'of sivii\K, out., it- is very .much open bo" wifcicism. ror nioaUu

the Germans have been losing positions and men on the Western front without achieving anything in tha way of an effective counter-stroke. Their last big attack on the Ypres salient was mostly but ineffective. On the opposite l front the broad position shows the Germans equally at a loss. Thanks to superior equipment, thoy have rolled the .Russians back in Galifcia, but it is almost true to say that the whole effect of their thunder-stroke in that region has been to regain a portion of the Austrian territory conquered by the Russians, and that it is not likely to lead to any permanent, or even lasting, advantage. It may be said with absolute confulencc that tho German commanders would not have expended men and munitions in such a campaign if they had considered it feasible instead to crash through the Russian line on the Bzura and reach Warsaw—at all times their supreme objective in the Eastern theatre.

These things show in the most definite way that German resources arc by no means inexhaustible. It is no doubt wise to make liberal allowance for the grim resolve of the German people, but no end is served by accepting flamboyant stories about inexhaustible German resources and indefinite powers of resistance. Actual developments on the battlefields of Europe, i Poland, and Galieia, considered in their aggregate import, suggest rather that Germany is at her wit's end for men than that she has unlimited reserves to draw upon. This does not mean that final German defeat is in early prospect—it is quite an open question whether the war is to end this year or last another year or longer —but it does mean that Germany is much nearer defeat than she was when the war began. Always admitting that the unexpected may happen, it is well within the facts to say that Germany is on the road to defeat, and her resources, though still very great, are by no means inexhaustible.

At time of writing the oply official news from the Dajclapelles is contained in a belated French communique reviewing operations during the last fortnight in May. It affords no indication of any material advance from the line across the Gallipoli Peninsula gained by the Allies in their last assault 011 Krithia and the Turkish strongholds on east and west. An Athens message states that the Allies continue to materially improve their position, but adds that tho Turks still occupy Krithia. This leaves the Allies still a mile or more short of the main Turkish position on Achi Baba, unless the right of their line has been swung in advance of its western section opposite Krithia. On the same authority tho statement (frequently made in unofficial messages) is repeated, that the Australians and New Zealanders hold positions dominating Maidos and Kilid Bahr. Official -messages have indicated that the Australians and New Zealanders are established! on Gaba Tepe, opposite Maidos, and north along the slopes of Sari Bail', on lines not very far from the coast. A wide valley south of Gaba Tepe extends across the peninsula, but both Maidos and ivilid Bahr are probably shielded by intervening ■hills from the fire of tho colonial batteries.

Progress reports from the Dardanelles at brief intervals would resolve many uncertainties, and since they need disclose nothing not already known to the enemy there is 110 particular reason why they should be withheld. Meantime the only reliable news is conveyed in the infrequent official messages, and those point to a continued stubborn resistance by the Turks, against which comparatively little headway has been made. It is a state of affairs which tends to rob of their significance the numerous stories coming through about the growing demoralisation of the population of Constantinople and the Ottoman Army. * * * » The latest news of the Greek elections shows that the return to power of M. Venizelos is assured, and that he will be supported by a substantial, if not an overwhelming, majority. In these circumstances very great interest attaches to the policy to which M, Venizelos stands comand which he is presumably as anxious as ever to carry into effect. It is set forth at length in a letter_ which he addressed in- his capacity as Prime Minister to King Constantine in January last. In consequence of the King's rejection of the advice contained in his letter, M. Venizelos resigned the offico to which he has now been triumphantly returned. In his letter he contended in the first instance that Greece should meet the request of the Entente Powers and lend military aid to its ally, Servia. The alternative was to dishonour treaty obligations and to run tho risk of the Austro-Germans over-running Greek Macedonia and seizing Salonika. Bather than adopt this course M. Venizelos advised nis sovereign to seek the co-operation of Bulgaria and Rumania, pointing out that- a combination of the Christian Powers of the Balkan States would avert any serious, danger of local defeat and bring important influence to bear upon the struggle of the Entente Powers. As tne price of Bulgarian co-operation ha recommended that Greek opposition to the oession by Servia t-o Bulgaria of a section of Macedonia should be withdrawn, and that if necessary Greece should herself part with Kavala, the nearest Greek Aegean port to the Bulgarian frontier, Concessions in the Balkans, M. Venizelos maintained, would be fully compensated bv gains of territory in Asia Minor. While dealing with the situation in its more immediate aspects, he did not overlook broader issues. On tho contrary, he contended that it was in the interest of Greece to join the Entente in the war, bccause the victory of the Germanic Allies would be the death-blow to the free life of all small States. Intervention, as he stated the position, would open up the prospect of a united and greater Greece, while the alternative policy would certainly involve at the least crushing loss and financial ruin by the destruction of Hellenism in Turkey.

These being ,the openly-expressed views of her re-elected Prime Minister, Greece has undoubtedly cast a vote for intervention in the war. As yet the final figures are not available, but if they are as overwhelming as is predicted, there should bo little doubt of ultimate Greek intervention, liven with a strong majority at his back, M. Venizelos would still have to contend with a powerful court influence, but it is unlikely that opposition of this character would prevail over a resolute leader supporter! hy a. practically unanimous nationIf the election 'results we leii than

overwhelming, there may be another period of Greek hesitation and indecision. a * * *

A victory over the Russians on a long front north and east of Przemysl is claimed by the AustroGcrmans, and at time of writing the report is not contradicted by Russian dispatches. Ono Russian message speaks of enemy attacks in the region of Mociska (east of Przemysl) being beaten off with heavy loss on Friday and Saturday, and states that the offensive was not resumed, but a German communique declares that the Russians were defeated on Sunday on a long front north-west of Mociska. This leaves the position somewhat in doubt, and it is further complicated by an Austrian report, that tho Russian line has been broken east and south-east of Jaroslav, a- region north of Przemysl, in which the enemy forced the passage of the San and established themselves on the cast bank some weeks ago. Tho advance on Lemberg, apparently halting meantime in the south and south-eaßt, is being renewed from the west, but there is only enemy authority as yet for assuming that it has made any headway. Enemy reports concerning Galicja have on several occasions latoly proved to be unreliable, but not by any means always so

There is no further news a.t the moment of the fighting opposite the East Prussian frontier and west of Warsaw, which was reported yesterday. On visible indications the Germans have their hands too full in Galicia to attempt any serious enterprise meantime further_ north. As in February last, the retirement of tho Russians from Bukowina to the Dniester has been followed by an Austrian excursion into the Russian province of Bessarabia, immediateI}'1}' north of Rumania. Tne earlier invasion was a mere raid in which tho small Austrian force engaged suffered severe loss without achieving anything of importance.

An Austrian communique asserts somewhat vaguely that the Italians havo nowhere pierced the Austrian front on the Isonzo. This leaves wide possibilities open. The Italians have not reported the piercing of the Austrian front, but they havo claimed that they are rapidly mastering the crossings of the Isonzo Eivcr, one of the most important obstacles iu the approach to Istria. In any case the vague Austrian denial will carry little weight in face of the Italian reports of specified progress, to which some additions are made today.

Deep sympathy will 'be felt throughout the Dominion with the Hon. James Allen in the loss of his son, who has fallen in action at the Dardanelles. Already heavily burdened with administrative cares, Mb. Allen is now called upon to bear the heaviest burden that the war has power to impose. Those who know how zealously ne has laboured in rallying his fellow-countrymen in this time of peril will be well assured that the Minister op Defence will set aside his private affliction and work as ungrudgingly as ever for tho great cause which no one has more at heart. For his father and family there is some consolation in the fact that Lieutenant Allen fell in the same battle-field in which other Now Zealanders have freely given up their, lives for New Zealand ana the Empire.