PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2864, 31 August 1916, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Great and far-reaching developments in the war are unquestionably imminent,, but at the moment of writing the remarkable feature of the news is the slowing down of operations in the main ' theatres. Tho Russians report an unchanged position on the Eastern front, and in regard to tho 1 Somme official news tells of ' no important action. Another report, not official, states that there have been no operations on the Somme front during tho past three days except detail actions, iu all of which tho Allies succeeded. This 1-ull is, of course, not likely to last long. Tho prospects of the Allies arc broadening out, and they may be expected very shortly not only to resume a full tide of activity in the main theatres and elsewhere, but to considerably extend the scope of their operations. Sudden changes and dramatic developments, as well as an increasing intensity of conflict, are likely to be witnessed. As tho situation now takes shape, the Allies, with a great superiority in numbers and probably a considerable superiority in artillery and munitions, havo a wide freedom in tho selection of areas in which to attack the enemy with damaging effect. It may be taken for granted that they will utilise these opportunities to the full. The reported slackening on the Somme front may bo due only to tho bad weather which has been mentioned in recent dispatches, but it possibly implies that tho Allies are about to open a new attack. When the Somme offensive opened, two months ago, the opinion was widely held that it was only one of a series of similar attacks which the Allies would launch against different sections of the German line. That opinion has been shaken by the onormous scalo upon which the oattle has developed, and the extonfc . to which the enemy line has been

[penetrated. Since the Germans on the Somme have been largely deprived of their initial advantage of lighting in elaborately prepared positions on wcll-selccted ground, it would seem at an immediate view that the Allies should be able to force their offensive with'as good prospects in its present area as anywhere. But the very fact thai; the enemy's line has been so greatly weakened on the Somme front may conceivably furnish the Allies- with a reason for attacking him elsewhere. They are quite possibly capable of grossing a new offensive simultaneously with a continuation of the Somme offensive, or at all events with such a continuation of the present operations as would prevent the enemy effecting any. material. restoration of his shattered, j line. This, however, is mere speculation. The Somme offensive has achieved splendid results thus far, and much greater results are in prospect, whether or not the Allies extend their attacks to other sections |of the enemy line. c • « « A successful attack tiy the French at Verdun has further improved their line east of the Meuse, and shows definitely that they retain the upper hand in that region. Even tho German people, from whom so much is hidden, must by this time be aware of. tho utter failure of the great offensive upon which so muoh was staked. Proof is afforded today that attempts are being made to sustain the confidence of tne German public by the dissemination of fictitious reports of Allied defeats on the Somme. This sort of thing is easy at tho present stage, but it mu6t be a more difficult matter to explain why the promised fruits of victory were not reaped at Verdun.

Rumania is already in the full tide of an offensive which aims at the penetration of the Transylvanian Alps and the invasion of Transylvania. The nature of the enterprise has been previously indicated/ and is' further made clear in some of to-day's messages. The Rumanians, meantime, are striking north into the principal passes of the "Transylvanian Alps. Hermannstadt'and Brasso, named as the Rumanian objectives, are railway towns in Transylvania facing the Rumanian frontier, Hermannstadt at a distance of 17 miles, and Brasso about ton miles, north of the frontier. The towns lie about 70 miles apart and both aro advanced points on railway systems which converge upon single lines funning across the Rumanian frontier. Their strategic importance is thus apparent. The task of the Rumanians is to force their way through mountainous and wooded country, in which the Aiistrians are strongly established, and a warning is issued that rapid progress must not be expected. But, though tho Austrians have an advantage in tho matter of railway communications, and in the possession of strong defensive positions, they are likely to be very neavily handicapped in the matter of numbers. The Rumanian Army is numerous, and all roports agree that it is also admirably prepared for tho campaign upon which it has now ontered. No very definite indication is yet given of progress made, but the Austrians admit a retirement from advanced positions.

An. enemy report mentions the joint operation of Russian and Rumanian troops in -the Carpathians. No doubt this relates to Southern Bukowina, a region in which important operations may devolop at any time. It is suggested also that 'the Rumanians may strike west 'through the "Verciorov Pass (north "of tho Iron Gate) into tho Banat of Temesvar, a territory marching with tho Danubian frontier of Serbia. As a whole the Rumanian operations promise to develop upon a considerable scalc.

No pronouncod development is reported in the military situation in Greece, but while the Bulgarians have occupied Seres, a railway town a few miles cast of the Struma, the Serbians are still pressing forward from the Greek frontier between the Monastir railway and tho Vardar. Great artillery activity is also reported in the' region of Lake Doiran, east of tho Vardar. The slow development of the Allied offensive would givo somo ground for surprise if it were not that a possible explanation appears in reported political developments in Bulgaria. Tsar Ferdinand, it is said, has deserted his post, and betaken himself to Vienna, and tho weight of evidence at tho moment is that tho Russophiles in Bulgaria aro likely to gain tho upper hand. ' This, in itself, is good news, but if the ends of justice are served tho Bulgarians will be admitted to no easier terms than those of unconditional surrender. According to Dr. Dillon they will demand Serbian Macedonia, and Turkish territory north of the Enos-Midia line, as a reward for withdrawing from the German alliance. The first portion of the demand, at least, should meet with a prompt and summary refusal, but the proposal in regard to Turkish "territory may conceivably be considered. Bulgaria, however, is neither entitled to state' terms nor in any condition to do so. Her choice is between a conflict which could only result in her overwhelming defeat and submission to tho will of the Entente. After her treacherous attack on Serbia she would lack any claim to consideration if it were not that responsibility for that crime rests largely upon the discredited schemer who is now reported to have fled the country. F.ven now, if reports that the Bulbars have murdered wounded Serbians are well founded, the way is hardly clear for a composition.

The dismissal of Von Falkenhayn from the post' of Chief of th'e German ' General Staff presumably means that the Kaiser has been unable to resist the popular demand for a highly-placed scapegoat. It may therefore bo regarded as an "indication of developing, demoralisation in Germany. History must determine how far Von Falkenhayn is responsible for the disasters which are closing in upon the Teutonic Alliance, but it is extremely probable that the immediate cause of his downfall is that the German pcoplo arc beginning to realise tho fate to which 'they are doomed. The elevation of Von Hindenduro to the vacant post is not likely to cause the enemies of Germany much concern. On is known of his career and attainments he is much less fitted to control tho German war machine than the man whom ho succeeds.

Sergeant-Detective Cox arrested a man yesterday on a charge of stealing twenty-two electric switches, valued at £1 10s.