PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2767, 10 May 1916, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The outstanding item of to-day's messages so far as we in New Zealand are concerned is the announcement that our troops are now in the fighting lines in France shoulder to shoulder with Tommy Atkins, and face to face with the Huns. If there was'one outstanding disappointment in the early days after the dispatch of our troops it was that they were sent against the Turks instead of being afforded'an opportunity of pitting their strength and' courage against the ravishers of Belgium and cause of all the horrors which have sprung out of the war.' Now the chance for which they have longed has come.- For some weeks past the impression has been current that a portion of the New Zealand and Australian forces had been transferred, to France, and the news today will not come as a surprise. It may be taken as an evidence of the confidence inspired by both officers and men that they have so quickly been placed in charge of a section of the great battle * line stretching across /Belgium and France. They are now at the heart_ of things. From the outset the view has been held that the vita-lblow of ,the war will be struck on the Western front, and New Zealand, with the other overseas Dominions, will share in the great strike when the day comes.

There is an aspect of this transference of our troops to the Western front .which should hot be lost sight of. They will now be associated with and arrayed against the best trained and disciplined troops in the world. They have already established a splendid record for courage, dash and resource, and they will be on their mettle to rank well with their brothers in arms in point of disciplineanql training. It should be an incentive to our men in training at Trentham and Featherston .to put_ their best foot foremost to maintain the _high reputation for soldierly qualities gained by those who have preceded them to the fighting lines..

Since the above was written a message has come to hand telling us of General Biedwood's address to the Anzacs. on their arrival in France. It", is a stirring appeal to the men--an appeal to their chivalry and sense of honour, as well as to their courage and self-sacrifice. The note emphasised throughout is "discipline. Too much importance cannot bo attached to this call for discipline, more especially, in the case of colonials who, because of their free and easy ways in civilian life, find it difficult to adjust themselves or even to seo the necessity for the conditions imposed in the name of discipline. Under the circumstances in'which they, will bo situated in Prance, our troops will perhaps better realise the part discipline plays 'in military efficiency than has been possible from their previous experience; but our officers and men still in training here should take General Birivwood'.s advice to heart just as much as their mates and friends at the front. i * » * i

The little ground gained by the 'Germans in their latest attack in the Verdun region seems to have proved, not only a costly, but in the' oncl a useless effort. The most important gain recorded as the result of tho two days' bombardment and 'repeated infantry attacks was. a footing in the trench communication! trench east of Hill 304. This was on Sunday last and the official communique which stated the fact, yesterday intimated that everywhere else in this region tho enemy were repulsed with heavy loss. Even the admitted German gain, however, was of short duration. To-day comes the news that before the Germans could establish themselves in their newly won ground a sharp counterattack drove them out again, fifty of the number remaining, as prisoners.' So the struggle continues. Slight German gains of territory are won at a terrible price: in most cases only to be lost again where the 'conditions call for counter-at-tack. This terrific battle around Verdun—for it has been practically one continuous struggle—has been proceeding . for nearly three months. Think of it. Thunderous bombardments interspersed with desperate infantry charges and counter-at-tacks, with hundreds of thousands of troops engaged on a comparatively narrow section of the front, fighting almost without intermission day after day and week after week—the greatest, the deadliest, tho bloodiest battle in history. And it. is still proceeding.

There arc signs of activity along the British lines further north which may presage big events. An official report indicates that a German attack of some magnitude has been made at Thicpal, to the north of Albert. There is a hint of a heavy bombardment of the British lines followed by an attack which gavo the enemy possession of a section of fcho British front-line trenches; but they were subsequently driven out with considerable loss. The message, though brief, suggests hard fighting! Still further north at Fromelles, to the east of Lille, the British took the offensive, raiding _ the enemy's trenches and inflicting considerable casualties. Wo may expect to hear tfioro of this sort of thing now that the Allies have to all appearances completed thc.rcadjustroent of forces along their lines;' The disclosures made regarding the presence of New. Zealand, Australian, and Russian troops on the Western front may be taken to indicate that Joffke is ready to act. Great changes have been going on along the Allied lines in Franco, and until these were satisfactorily completed the less Eaid about the arrival and position of troops the better. A period of increased activity is certainly in sight. • * • ♦ Two items in the- war news to-day give pause for doubt and reflection. The first refers to the reported suspension of the German Crown Prince from the Verdun command—it is a Swedish message to Vancouver. The second, a message from London, via the Times and Sydney Sim Service, states that it is "authoritatively known" that the Kaiser, in the

course of a "most intimate" conversation with the American Ambassador at JJerlin, suggested that the latter should sound President Wilson on the question of initiating peace ovorturcs. It is doubtful whether there is a word of truth in either statement. Take the case of the Crown Prince: A moment's reflection will convince any student of the war that the German offensive at Verdun, in view of its magnitude, and of all that hinged upon the issue, could nob hav>> been anything else than a staff affair, planned weeks before. Every detail and every contingency possible to the German military imagination must have been minutely considered by the best brains of the Imperial German General Staff, and this collective supervision would not only precede the battle, but, wo imagine, would continue throughout the various phases of its development. The German failure at Verdun was a Staff affair. Then with regard to the Kaiser's suggestion to Me. Gerard : Is it conceivable, on the face of it, that the United States-Ambassador, an, experienced diplomat, would babble the gist of such an important conversation if it were true? And if the Kaiser did suggest it, would ho desire the fact to be published broadcast 1 One would hardly think so. This is in all respects an amazing war, and not the least amazing aspect of it is the news service.