PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2715, 9 March 1916, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

After a period of uncertainty the German offensive in the Western theatre has now entered another clearly L niarked phase. The big fact chronicled at the moment is that the Germans have shifted the main weight of their attack north of Verdun from the east bank of the Mouse to the west bank. In this latter area they have gained some ground, and by their own account they have made headway also in an attack on Fresnes (eleven miles east-south-east of Verdun) and now hold all save the western outskirts of that village. This last claim awaits confirmation or disproof. It is established in any case that the Germans are extending their attacking front at Verdun considerably to the west, and if it is true that they have captured the greater part of Fresnes, 'they are extending it east and south as well. West of the Mouse the French have conceded a considerable area since the German attack entered its latest phase, though their line still reaches the western side of the river more than a mile further north than on the opposite bank.' After losing the village of Forges they apparently fell back about a mile, in-tho_ area near the river. Forges constituted a small salient, and was therefore not easy to defend. The further retirement south of Forges was perhaps made necessary by the altered conditions on the opposite side of the river.

I It. is probably nearer the truth that the French have adjusted their line west of the Meuse to meet attack tha-n that they have been ejccted from positions in this area which they wished to hold. At the same time these operations must be regarded as of very great importance. They afford indisputable proof that the concentrated German assault upon a narrow front north and north-east of Verdun was only the opening move in an attack which is still far, and may be very far, from having reached its full development. Colonel Kepington thinks it probable that the assault on Verdun as a whole is only the beginning of larger movements. This seems likely enough, but meantime we have it as a matter not of theory, but of 'fact that the Verdun assault in itself is being methodically extended and developed. Heavy as the German losses have been up to the present time in this enterprise, and little as they have to set against them, the way in which they are extending thenattacking front can only be taken to mean that they arc prepared to incur further_ heavy sacrifices in the hope of striking a decisive blow.

Nothing else than this was to be expected. Though evidently not crippled by the losses they have so far suffered at Verdun-and there was no possible reason to suppose that they would be—the Germans 'have lost so heavily as to make an /abandonment of their offensive practically unthinkable: Only a grim determination to make one last and supremo bid for victory will account tor the freedom with which lives have been sacrificed in the battles already fought, and no such dcte>> llination could have been formed without the prospect of vastly greater losses than have yet been suffered being faced. An extension of the German offensive at Verdun, and in all likelihood elsewhere than tifc Verdun, is therefore to be anfcicipatcd as a natural and normal development. Issues of such overwhelming importance are at stake that such a conclusion was not to Tie lightly drawn, hut the methodical extension and development of the enterprise which lias already cost the Germans so dear seems to put the matter beyond doubt.

Foe vitally important reasons it must be regarded as a matter for congratulation that the Germans have decided to persevere in this fashion. Their decision does much to sweep away the complexities and uncertainties of the war. Had they fallen back discomfited after their disastrous experience north of Verdun—and it was disastrous, although they have gained some miles of territory—it would have remained doubtful whether they had not still some better card to play. That they are persevering in their Western offensive seems to imply definitely that they see no such alternative, and that they are reduced to tho necessity of continuing the war with their -cards upon the table. Once they are fully embarked upon -a Western offensive their policy and their only remaining hope are nlain for all tho world to see. It is as nearly Certain as anything caiu be that the issue of the war. will turn upon the conflict thus opened, and it is quite certain that the Germans would not lightly have left the shelter of their fortified lines in order to force such a conflict. They have adopted a policy under which they are bound to incur colossal sacrifices. and which offers them poor prospects of victory or of any substantial advantage. It can only be supposed that, unattractive as this policy is, and little as it promises, the "Germans dislike still more the only possible alternative. That alternative in broad terms obviously is to light a delaying war; and the increasing proof jvhich is being _ afforded that the Germans are anxious above all things not to face it is much the most arresting fact of the existing situation.

Late news from the Western theatre shows that the enemy has made a further small advance west of the Meuwj, in which tircn fighting appears to be heavy and continuous,

It is now officially admitted that the Germans have capturcd the village of Fresnes, in the Woeuvre district. Fresnes stands on tho woeuvre plain, a little way northeast of the dominating plateau of Los Lparges, which was mastered by the I'rench m April last year after a prolonged struggle. * * ft » Standing alone, the speech delivered by tho I'irst Lord of the Admir- ■ alty (Mn. Balfour), in introducing the Navy Estimates, supplies every assuiance that could be desired that no pains are being spared to keep the Aavy up to the splendid pitch of efficiency of which it has given so many tokens. Mr. Balfour says that Wreat Britain s superiority in fighting ships is enormous and incontestable, and he indicates that if new construction has not fully satisfied the desires of the. Admiralty, it is only because there is practically no limit to these desires. As much ship--111,111,l 11 ,, n S ls being done as the amount 0 v m labour .available will permit. _ Though it is of necessity general in tone, the speech is calculated to serve as a useful antidote to scare stones about phenomenal naval construction by tho Germans and the naval projects they are said to entertain. * * * *

« ?l CTLY le °PP oS ite is to be saicl of the speech _ in which Major Churchill criticised the statement of his successor in office. It is not surprising to be told,that a majority of tho members of the House of Commons regard Major Churchill's speech as mischievous and needlessly alarmist. As it is reported, it consists, in the first place, of hints that naval construction may have been allowed to fall dangerously into arrears, and, in the second, of a vehement demand that Lord Fisher should be recalled to the Admiralty. Considering that Major Churchilis published to the world not very long ago the fact that as political head of the Admiralty he had fallen into acute dissension with Lord Fisher, his latest speech was obviously " neither in good judgment nor in good taste. It was possibly intended as some sort of Quixotic reparation to the late First Sea Lord, but, if so, it missed its mark, judging by tho report that Lord Fisher, s'itting in the Peers' Gallery, listened with a grim smile while Major Churchill was speaking. As to what the latter said about naval construction, he said too little if the evils at which he hinted have any real existence. Otherwise he plainly stands convicted of scaremongering; and Mr. Balfour's definite assurances regarding construction clo not seem to leave any room for doubt as to what the verdict must be. « * * * Mr. Balfour's statement that Britain has not replaced her losses of armoured cruisers evidently does not mean that the Admiralty has to admit a failure where the construction of ships of this class is concerned, but is to be noted; as an official confirmation.of the view that armoured cruisers have failed to prove their utility under the test ot war, and are, in fact, to be regarded as ships of an obsolescent type. -5 a * a Russian reports in hand speakonly of the Armenian campaign and of tho operations in Persia. The forces landed at Antina are still pursuing the Turks along the Black Sea coast towards Trebizond. . In Persia tho Russians pressing forward enterprisingly from Kermanshah. They arc reported to be now some 27 miles further west, towards the Turco-Persian frontier, from which, however, they are still separated by some 70 miles of very difficult country, while Bagdad is 150 miles away or more.