PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2772, 16 May 1916, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Speculations concerning Greece have been worn so threadbare that it may seem a waste of time to return to the subject. Yet the news of the past day or two cannot be lightly brushed aside. The picture drawn by an American correspondent of a bankrupt Greece, unable to pay her soldiers, and with the finances of .the country generally dislocated, may seem overdrawn, but it'is. not only credible, but probable. Greece is a poor country, and not only has sho beenput to (for her) enormous expense in maintaining her army on a war-footing, but her trade has been interfered with in directions which materially affect her financial position. Tho further suggestion that the only way out is for her to join in the war on the side of the Allies, in which case they, would no doubt come to her financial aid, may also bo regarded as a reasonable estimate of the position. Germany could assist Greece financially, but for how long ? And assuming that Greece accepted this, doubtful alternative she would be faced with the utter ruin of her sea trade and commerce, and'even .actual starvation. If wo take it, then, that the financial position is anything like as bad as is painted by the American message, it will be seen that Greece is confronted with greater difficulties than she has yet experienced. It is true that the Government might take the risky step of demobilising the Greek forces, but this, would not do more than easo tho financial strain of the future, without remedying •existing conditions. Moreover, it would leave her practically helpless to. protect her. interests at a time when every possiblo safeguard is necessary.

But the increasing financial embarrassment . of Greece is - not the only new factor of importance. Today we are told that the Entente Powers aro not pressing for the carriage of Serbian troops over the Greek railways. Why should the concession bo made to Greek susceptibilities? We know that Greece was the ally of Serbia, and that she was in honour bound to assist the Serbians, and therefore the claim that the Serbian troop's should have the use o'f the Greek railways for the purpose of transport to Salonika was a just one. , Why should the Entente Powers decide not to press it? May it not be a concession to Greek feeling preliminary to a better understanding 1 It should not bo lost sight of that M. Venizelos has now returned to the Greek Parliament, at the request, it is stated, of King Constantine. Wc may take it for certain that he would not have adopted this course unless he saw some chance of gaining the ends he has striven for from the outset; that is the alliance of Greece with tho Entente Powers. Is it at his instigation that General Sarrail has yielded to the protests of the Greek Government in order to pave the way to a more friendly relationship leading to bigger things? It is quite possible. Moreover, on top of these happenings comes the news that the Germans have shelled tho Greek village of Mujadagh, on the Greek frontier, near the Vardar, killing and wounding a number of the Greek inhabitants. And to crown all Le Temps tells us that the Bulgarian and the Austro-ilun-garian Consuls have "cleared out" of Athens, taking their staffs and the archives of their Consulates. Why this exodus? Past experience has taught us to be slow to draw conclusions from happenings in Greece, and it would be unwise to deduce too much' from the latest developmmts there. But whatever course she may take, Greece is faced with unpleasant possibilities. That her rulers: have striven hard to avoid becoming embroiled in the war goes without saying, but they are payinjr a heavy price for the policy; <and they may find the price too heavy. The signs at least point in that direction. .

It is a little curious, though it may be nothing more than a coincidence meaning nothing, that we should receive messages to-day from Rumania expressing admiration of Britain's military effort and the response of the Overseas Dominions. Yesterday we commented on the withdrawal of a force of Bulgarian troops from the Rumanian frontier. We suggested that this withdrawal might uo duo to the more pressing needs of the situation on the Greek frontier or to a greater confidence than hitherto in Rumania remaining neutral. To-day's news from Rumania, while it does not throw any real light on the situation, may be regarded as at any rate indicating a friendly interest in Britain and an appreciation of the magnitude of the effort she is making for the successful prosecution of tho war. e*. * •

The story of the gallant defence of Kut-el-Amara by General Townshend and his little force against an force of Turks is told in some detail to-day in a message from Mr. Candler, the war correspondent, who has recorded most of the events in the Mesopotamia campaign. The fuller particulars of the position in which General Townshend found himself after the forced retreat from the advance on Bagdad indicate the tremendous odds both in the matter of. numbers and conditions under which the-be-sieged carried on their stubborn defence for so long. The story makes an heroic page in' the history of British arms. '_ It was a hopeless fight unless assistance could arrive; but the garrison fought to the bitter end, enduring 1 terrible hardships, striking at tho enemy at every possible chance and yielding only when their supplies' gave out, and they could do no more. It was an honourable defeat, and the Turks paid a heavy price for their victory. The pity is that this gallant force should have been sacrificed by being set thn impossible task of capturing Bagdad unaided. Where tho responsibility lies has yet to be disclosed. Certainly it was not that of 'General Townshend and his gallant men.

That tho surrender of this force should have made so little impression on India, despite German propaganda, is indeed gratifying. It was an Indian expedition, sent from India, and under the control o* the authorities there. The greater proportion of the force was made up of Indian troops, and it is these who have suffered so terribly. If says much for the condition of affairs in India and the confidence in Britain *that ; such a misadventure should have been passed over with so little stir, and treated merely as a tern* porary set-back. This must mean another blow to German hopes.

While there is nothing of importance to hand at time of writing concerning the renewed German offensive against Russia in the Riga region, 'Mr. Hamilton Fyfe sends us some'tidings regarding the morale of tho opposing forces. According to this correspondent, the Germans in the ranks are depressed, and aro not fighting with any spirit, It is the old story over again. They have been spurred on to attack after attack with the assurance that the enemy arc beaten and that the end is in sight. According to reports extending over many months this has been a favourite method with German commanders. One moro great onslaught;.the capture of somo given position;.and the Kaisek will be able to dictate terms of submission to the exhausted enemy. It is hard to credit that either German troops or tho German people believe these assurances nowadays. Mil. Fyee states that tho men are depressed by the failure in the Riga region and along the Dvinsk front, and he quotes evidence in support of this. For what it is worth, it, is cheering enough frorh. the point of view of Russia and her Allies.

The Russian' advance in Asia Minor has been checked for tho moment at one point, Erzingan,' south of Trebizond.- The Turks are said to have attacked hero with great fury, compelling the Russian force to fall back. Tho fact that the Turks could, not follow up their success indicates that the Russians fell back in good order, and the check may prove to be of only a temporary nature. At the same time the movement of the Russians in this direction v may not progress apace, as the Turkish forces which retired along this route were reported to have been large, and probably have been addea to. Stubborn fighting may be looked for. ; The Russians further south, moving on Bagdad from the northeast, are meeting with more success. The Turks, soundly beaten, are still falling back. Heavy fighting may bo expected in this region ere the present month ends. The nearer the' forces of the Grand Duke Nicholas get to Bagdad the greaterHhcir difficulty will be in maintaining supplies for the troops, and the stronger tho forces they will find arrayed against them.

Matters on the Western front are still brisk, but nothing of outstanding importance is recorded. Along th.) French section of the line our Allies have more than held their own against such attacks as' have been ■ventured—chiofly in the Verdun region—and they have retaliated with another aerial raid on military •points occupied by the enemy, ' The British front has been subjected to another attack, this time at PlogstcHrii Wood, near Armentiercij. Tho customary artillery bombardment was followed by an attack in which the Germans were divided into three parties. They gained nothing by this venture; but were beaten off. A British patrol got into a German trench south of the La Bassee Canal, presumably on a raiding venture, and by way of reminder that two can play at the game of trench raiding. Generally speaking, the position might be summed up, on the news available, as normal.