PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2815, 5 July 1916, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Military critics in England, wo are told, aro emphasising the need for caution, and pointing out that quick success in tho Allied offensive is not to be expected. This must lie taken as addressed to tho general public, and as.intended to impose a check upon the spirit of optimism, which is apt at times to run to extremes, and so create expectations which arc bound to bo disappointed. It cannot be supposed that tho remarks in question are directed, either in tho way of criticism or suggestion, at tho Allied_ commanders iu the field, since it is manifest that the tactics which the critics recommend aro preoisely thoso which the Allies have put into practice with notable success, not only in the Western theatre, but in other theatres as well. It has been tho policy of the Allies, not only since tho present offensive in the West was set in motion, but for a long time past, to make tho enemy fight at a disadvantage, to conserve their own strength, and to levy the heaviest possible toll upon the strengtli of tho enemy. The offensive- in the Western theatre seems to bo an admirable example of the successful application of these tactics, but this is only one instance out of an increasing number. A still moro notablo example, immediately at luyid, is supplied in tho Battle of Verdun. On-present appearances the patience and heroic endurance of the French are beginning to produce tangiblo results. 'It is certain, at least, that tho enemy is still far. from being in sight of a decision at Verdun, and equally certain that if he still had at disposal tho men and material he has expended there in pursuing a chimera he would to-day bo much better able to face tho developing Allied offensive.

Though the Russians took action this year earlier than their 'Allies in tho West, they also have been signally succcssful in compelling tho enemy .to fight at a disadvantage, and in wearing down his strength in at degree far exceeding their own coincident sacrifice. Tho AustroGermans had nothing to gain by fighting on the southern front, which tho Russians have covered with a blaze of battle, and they-Lad possibly a great deal. to gain by lighting on the. northern front, in the Baltic Provinces, where., they have remained thus far comparatively quiescent. It is thus well within the facts to say that the enemy is fighting at a disadvantage in tho Eastern .theatre, and as to the material results to dato it is conclusive that tho Russians, in tho last four weeks, in addition to mastering .a wido area of strategically important country, have captured nearly a quarter of a million prisoners and a vast amount of war material. Somewhat similar. claims are valid in regard to tho Austro-Italian theatre. We do not know how.. Austrian and Italian losses compare in recent fighting, but at this stage of tho war the Austrians are muoli less able to bear losses than their adversaries. Their Trentino adventure has brought them no useful return, and all that it has cost them in addition to what defensive fighting in their strong mountain positions would have cost them in tho same period, must bo set down as a dead loss —so much strength dissipated and thrown away. " it * * *

The Allied offensive in ittio West must bo regarded as an interlocking detail in the process, now widely in operation, which aims meanwhile rather at cutting down the enemy strength aud increasing the Allied margin, o'f superiority than at more sweeping results. In this character the offensive is developing prosperously. The latest available reports show that the British troops are still, on the whole, gaining ground', though not rapidly, along the front north of the Somme. Meantime the French, both north and south of the river, and particularly in the south, are making more rapid headway, and at one point are now three miles beyond tho line, on which the battle opened. Detailed reports amply bear out the statement made' by M. Marcel Hutin that the slower progress of tho British is due. to the fact that thoy are fighting oyer more difficult ground. The section of front into which tho British troops are; steadily working their way is evidently one on which the enemy has expended every device of military art. 1

There are reports that the Germans aro rushing troops and artillery to tho Western front, and no doubt some counter-stroke on their part must be looked for. The probability is to be considered, however, in light of the fact that there is already a heavy and imperative 'demand {or German reinforcements in the Eastern theatre. General LiNSINGEN has been trying for weeks, and as yet without success, to break the Russian line where it is thrown forward towards Kovel, in Southern Russia, and compel a retreat. The Russians have not only made head against this effort, but are now again on tho move in "Southorn Galicia in a'way which is bound 'before long to influence events further north. Thus, oven leaving Italy and the Allied forces in tho Balkans out of account, there is a 'double call on the enemy's resources which ho should find it difficult to satisfactorily meet. - It is noteworthy that since the war began the enemy has almost' invariably restricted himself to one main effort at a time, and the outlook is on that account all the brighter now that "the possibility of adhering to this policy of concentration has evidently departed.

Stirring news comes from Russia, of a tide of battle both in tho main theatre and in Armenia. It would seem that in both areas the enemy is putting forth great efforts, and is faring badly. On tho Eastern front tho Russians havo . repulsed a, series of assaults made in powerful force, and have taken thus far 3300 prisoners, and captured numerous guns. Putting forth similar efforts in Armenia, the Turks appear to have fared no better than their allies. The localities in the Eastern theatro in which tho battle is described as raging most fiercely arc widely separated. One is Stnorgon, where tlio line runs about it) miles east of Vilna, and therefore opposite East Prussia. Another is the area east of Kovel, in Southern Russia, where the Germans aro striving desperately to

stem the Russian offensive. Heavy lighting is under way also south of Buezacz, in Galicia, where the Russians are closcly threatening railways on the direct approach to Lemberg._ The general indication in the Russian report that the enemy attacks have at all points failed is little disturbed by the latest Austrian communique. It makes one claim—that ground has been gained south of Lusk. The last event of note in this area, however, was tho capture by the Russians of an important rivor-crossing, and if this had been recovered by the enemy the fact would presumably have been stated in the Austrian- report. Tho _ turn of events in Russia carries, of course, double importance and significance on account of late developments in tho other main theatro. Tho extent and nature of his commitments in the Eastern theatre will oortainly not help tho oneray to make head against the methodical offensive of the Western Allies, or to organise an effective counter-stroke. Though at tho'moment they arc shown to be attacking, and that violently, in the Eastern theatre, it is by no means improbable that the Austro-Germans may presently find it imperatively necessary to effect an extended retreat in that area.