PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENSIVE CAMPAIGN.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2828, 20 July 1916, Page 5

PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENSIVE CAMPAIGN.

THE "RUSSIAN VICTORY IN VOLHYNIA. " ".-ROAD TO LEMBERG CLEAR. BRITISH ADVANCE ■ RESUMED. ' * ADVANCE NORTH OF OVIILERS. TRENCH RAIDS BY THE ANZACS. . _ Apart from tUo ruaiu operations in the various war theatres, probably the most intcrcstinj feature of -to-day's news is tlio "Daily TelegraphV' dispatch from Borne, covering a statement that the Austro-German lino is retiring in order to prepare for a defensive campaign. Coupled with ' that are a number of dispatches relating to important differences of political opinion in Germany on the peace question, and a conference between the German Chancellor and the party loaders in the Reichstag. The connection botweci). these various occurrences the successful development of the Allies' offensive in the West is also put forward.' With regard to the military operations: A successful advance has liean achieved by the British north of Ovillers, and comparative quiet reigns on the French front. The expenditure of shells for the initiation of the offensive has been stupendous, but British voVkmen, have now thoroughly realised tlio position of affairs in regard to the supply nf shellu, and what an overwhelming superiority of that deadly war commodity means to tlio " Allies—tho fact has been amply demonstrated. The men in the war factories arc with Sir Douglas Jlaig body and soul, so to speak. On tho Russian front, the victory of General Sakharoff in tho Volhynia region on Sunday has been a great strategical coup. The enemy has been forced " beyond the Lipa, and the way to Leinberg is clear.' There are no developments of importance elsewhere./ Mr. Asquitli's promised statement on the Dardanelles and .Mesopotamia, operations has been delivered, but for military reasons lias not proved to be a very informativo recital, and both the Unionist and, Liberal War Committees are demanding further information. The .United States Government lias a crisis with. Turkey on its hands.