PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2885, 25 September 1916, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Enough is being told about the | great, battle which is still in full progress in Southern Galicia to show that it is one of the most obstinately contested of the war, and this condition of affairs is amply explained by the importance of the issues at_ stake. The conflict centres, as it has done for some time past, on the ancient town of Halicz, on the Dniester, 60 rnilos, as the crow flies, south-east .of Lemberg. The threat to Lemberg is, however, much closer than this', distance would imply. At • Halicz and northward along the Gnita Lipa and the Naraiuvka, the Austro-Gen-mans are_ not defending an advanced position, or a defensive line backed by others as good, but a vital gateway, the loss of which would entail a fatal invasion of their southern flank, and undermine the stability of their whole southern line, stretohing from the Pripet Marshes, through Southern Russia, and across the breadth of Galioia. At Halicz the Dniester is spanned by a bridge which carries a, main road to Lemberg. Once the Russians gain access to this road north of the Dniester the enemy's flank, as his line, is now located, will be laid open, and he will have to retreat to escape envelopment. Probably the fate of Lemberg immediately turns upon the result and outcome of the renewed Russian offensive in whioh the attack on Halicz takes a prominent place.: At the least, the capture of Halicz would bring the fall of the Galioian capital into near prospect. i That the struggle should bo desperately contested is not at all surprising. The enemy is striving to avert dire disaster, and is bound to bring every available ounce of power to bear in his-efforts to stem the Russian onslaught. It should bo noted, also, that the nature of the' country surrounding Halicz lends itself to a stubborn defence. It is desoribed as largely a series of volcanic ridges and extinct cratlers, admirably suited for defensive works. In its total offect, the latest news in hand regarding this tremendous ,struggle is of The Russian. communiques, in accordance with custom when the main issue of a battle is still in the balance, aro almost silent, and one even states: "On our west front . . . there is nothing to report." But other reports, which there seems no reason to distrust, declare that the Russians are forging ahead, not rapidly, but in a fashion to suggest that they definitely hold the ..upper hand. It is quite frankly admitted that tho battle has ebbed and flowed, but the Russians on the whole are gaining. It is stated in a Rome report that several of the Halicz forts have fallen, and tho effect of news from Potrograd is that though th& enemy is spending lives freely in counterattacks, he is losing one' defensive line after anothor. It is 'interesting to briefly compare tho circumstances of the prosent struggle with those of tho campaign of 1914, in which tho Russians captured Lemberg in the early days of September. In August, hoping to profit by tho incompleteness of tho Russian mobilisation, Austria sent a strong army of invasion into Poland. Her expectation was that bho Russian armies which she knew, were- advancing on the southern front would bo compelled to reinforce- thoir menaced centre further north. Instead, tho Russians held tho Austrian invasion in play with limited forces, and rapidly developed. tho movement against Lemberg, which iri the ovent wa-s crowned with brilliant success. At the beginning of September, 1914, one Russian army unclor General Russky was'in position east of Lemberg and north to the Galician frontior, and another under General Brusilofi? had carried the' Dniester, occupied'Halicz, and wheeled north towards Lemberg. This accomplished, the fate of Lemberg was very speedily decided. In a battle which opened on Septembor 1 and lasted for two days, Brusiloff fiercely attacked tho Austrian right, his_ associate, Dimitrieff, carried the line of the Gnita Lipa, north of Halicz, and General Russky drove in,upon the Austrian communications in tho country north of Lemberg. I On September 3 the Austrians evacuated Lemberg; covering thoir. retreat by entrenching the_ town of Gro.dok, which stands 16 miles west of Lemberg, on the railway to Przcmysl. * . * * » . . The oircti instances of the 1914 campaign aro in somo respects as different as possible from those which obtain to-day. Except in tho immediate vicinity of Halicz, the Russian armies are established further to the eastward—much further to the eastward in Northern Galicia—than when they compelled the'evacuation of Lemberg in-.1914. Instead of being able to interpose effectively , between an Austrian army thrown too far forward into Poland and anothor covering Lemberg on the north, they aro faced by a continuous line, at all important points strongly fortified. It is, nevertheless, probable that the present movement against Halicz constitutes an .'even more serious threat to the enemy than the some-1 what similar movement _ of 1914. Possession of Halicz is vital to tho security of Lemberg, and Lemberg is the key to tho road and railway system of Eastern Galicia, the centre from which roads and railways radiate. If the Russians break his resistance at Halicz and along tho river lines to the north, the enemy will not be better but worse off for having his lines onrown well forward in Central and Northern Galicia. Unless he can maintain the line whioh seems to be giving way in the Halicz region he will be 'driven before long to a hasty and possibly disorderly retreat, and tho effect will not stop short at Lemberg, but must extend ultimately to Kovel, the all-import-ant link between the Austrians and Germans in Southern Russia. * » * » If it is true, ' as one message states, that General Brusiloff is now pressing the offensive at ten different points simultaneously, it should not bo lougbeforo tho possibilities of tho situation are sea-rch-ingly tested. 'It will bo noticed that the baotioa indicated are thoso

which the Russians pursued in the' early clays of the southern offensive, when they blasted avenues through tho enemy's line at selected points, and so were 'onabled to take many I sectious of his strong defences in rear. Evidence of the extent to which the British troops on tho Somrae front have now secured advantage of position is supplied in the shape of further important inroads into the enemy defences. An advance, of a mile in night attacks is most convincing evidence of radically changed conditions. In their total effect the movements reported mean at once a considerable further step towards Bapaumo and a certain straightening of line. At tho same time, while the immediate .grip on Thiopval is being firmly maintained, the general advance tends to more and more hopelessly outflank that place. The French meantime are closing in on Combles,and the enemy defence of that place seems to be weakening. In a late message, veFy impressive accounts are given_ of the tremendous havoc that is being wrought by the Allied artillery and by powerful air-squad-rons, some of them ranging far afield. i * * * # . There is no more arresting story in the news to-day than that of the gallant part played by a Canterbury battalion in a late development' of the big battle on the Sornrne. The defence of a salient position more or less exposed to flank attaoi involved a desperately trying ordeal, but the New' Zealanders rose to the occasion as they have done at every stage of the war. Further and most interesting accounts are given also of the part jjlayed by the various sections of the Dominion troops in recent fighting. The narrative will be read with pride by all New Zealanders, except perhaps those who should, be ■en their way to the front and instead are holding back. * * * * Failing more substantial consolation for a darkening war outlook, the noisy party in Germany has been advocating intensified aerial {rightfulness against England.. It will perhaps bej less inclined to now that another raid has cost Germany another Zeppelin, if not two. When an airship was brought down in flames in the London district recently, hopes were raised that a new chapter had opened in the history of this department of the war. No.w that,at 'least one other Zeppelin has been brought down in Essex these hopes are strengthened. At least the days when the raiders carried out their mission of murder with impunity are definitely over, and it is quite probable that they will pay an increasingly heavy toll as time goes on. • « • • Some .further ground has been gained by tho Allies on tho f ronf'tiers of Greece, but ,tho big move has yet to be made. At the moment, so far as this region is concerned,' interest centres rather in Greek political developments than in the great campaign which is slowly taking shape on the northern frontier. At their faco value, current reports hold out good hones of the early downfall of Constantine and -his Prussian Court, and the triumph of the revolutionary movement pro-, voked by his anti-national policy. It is certainly a very striking fact, if it is a fact, that the walls of Athens have been placarded with demands that tho King should abdicate, and that*no ono lias ventured to disturb the placards. Other reports toll the sarno gcnoral story, and indicate that tho statement attributed to the German spyf von Soubnk, that Grceco is oomplotely under tho thumb of M. Venizelos, is not far removed from the truth. The indicated trend is to be weloomod, not so much on account of any effective military aid Greece' is likely to render tho Allies, as because it tends to give the latter a free hand in acting against Bulgaria. Grounds exist for believing that, the Allies arc now. in ,a position' to deal with Bulgaria in addition to exercising whatever supervision may bo necessary over Greece, but they will, of course, be able to act in greater power and to hotter effect as the necessity of taking precautions against Greece diminishos. i» " a » * 'Available news concerning the Rumanian fronts is unsensational. The RiiFso-Rumanian counter-stroke in tho Dobruja seemed likely to herald a general stir of action in the Balkans, but expectations under this head have not yei been .realised. Tho composite enemy force which was recently heavily defeated is npw reported to be entrenching, but this after a lengthy retreat and tho abandonment of Silistria and other places.

Just before 7 o'clock last evening the Central Fire Brigade was called to deal with an ugly-looking outbreak at the Gas Company's manufacturing warehouse in Clyde Quay. Fortunately the brigade was on the scene in time to defeat the flames, which were making headway on the third floor. The fire was confined to that floor, and tho damage consists of the effects ol the fire in tho top story and tho effects of water in tho other two stories. The building is owned -by Messrs. Luke and Sons, and the insurances were not available last evening. The cause of the fire is not known yet. Tho Hon. Dr. 'M. Pomare, who spent several days in tho Urcwera Country last week, is reported as saying that,- generally speaking, the prevailing sentiment among the Natives thero is one of iiiteuso loyalty, and that, the -young men are keen to' enlist for service against the Empire's enemies. Except among some of Rua's immediate followers, there is no indication of resentment following upon the arrest and punishment of the "prophet," the bulk of the Urewera tribe having been deepply attached to the great chief Kercru, who was a pronounced opponent of Rua and his teaching. As a matter of fact about twenty-eight young men. of tho Ureweras answered tho call to arms recently, and are now training in camp at Narrow Neck, Auckland. A prosecution under the War Regulations Act, the first of its kind, was heard before the Magistrate at Lumsden last week. A company, styling itself the Australasian Picture and Vaudeville Company, was touring the south part of this island with pictures and vaudeville. The company advertised that half proceeds would go to tho "Wounded Soldiers' Fund, after expenses had been paid, but to do this they required to have a permit under the Act, which has lately come into force. They had no permit, and consequently came before the Magistrate and fined £1, with court costs. At a meeting of the Wellington Headmasters' Association held on Saturday last it was unanimously resolved "That in the best interests of the children the headmasters feel it is their duty to decline to take- any' further part in organising or supporting street or house-to-house collections by children for any purpose whatever. - Those who visited the Glasgow Wharf yesterday morning found quite an attraction in the Akita Maru, a practically new vessel, which arrived- here from Japan on Friday. During the morning some hundreds of people went over the ship, and many witnessed' a few displays of' ju-jitsu, given by a number of the crew. The cookhouse, where, as a spectator expressed it, "something like curry was- being dished up," also received considerable attention. The vessel has a tidy appearance, and tho appearance of the vessol has apparently been carefully studied. Her hull and funnel are painted black, in., striking contrast to the white of deck-houses and fittings, and tho vessol is in fact a. good sample of beauty, combined with utility. The conoluding lecture of tho series arranged for suburban Sunday school teachers was given on Saturday night by Mr. T. H. Gill, M.A., LL., who took for his subject, ''Interest, its Importance and Teaching." Mr. Gill's great experience in' educational matters enabled him to give the teachers valuable help, and his lecture was listened to with much interest, and a number .of questions asked at the closo. Mr. Aloxauder Johnston, president of tho union, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Gill, aud also to the 'ladies who-had so kindly provided supper, for the visitors. The union is arranging for a teachers' "social" in Wellington shortly, when it is hoped to have an address from one of our prominent educationalists. "I don't believe in married men with children going to tho'front and not providing fully for their families," remarMMr. W. G. K. Kcnrick, S.M., the'other ; day, in. Court. _ "Thoro are plenty of young unmarried men who can easily go in their place," con? tinned Mr. Tvonrick. "I hops the Department will inquire into this, and rectify tho matter." The case undor notice was that of the wife, of a man who had enlisted who was charged with theft. . Tho husband had to go under an operation to make him medivally fit, tvhile it would be six nioro months before lie could got away. In tho meantime his wifo was unprovided for. His Worship expressed the hops that husband would not. be allowed to go to the front. The Defence authorities would he guilfy of ft grave erjeor in letting the man go into camp. " ■A giant New Zealander entered the crowded interior of a No. 33. Richmond omnibus in Fleet Street yesterday (says the London "Despatch" of August 13). Ho took a seat and then opened an enormous brown paper .bag containing soveral. pounds of large, ripo gooseberries. Seated next him was- an elderly man perfectly dressed in morning coat a'nd silk hat.. _ Tho gooseberries were thrust invitingly before him. He looked at them astonished, and embarrassed. "No, thank your ho said abrupty, and then looked up and saw who it was. "Oh! thanks awfully," ho • stammorod, and took a gooseberry between his gloved hands. Tlit New Zealander grinned and passed the bag round. Pre-occupied, reserved Londoners, who never exchange a word with anybody in this city of strangors, found themselves discussing this pleasant, friendly' soldier from overseas, who thought it tho most natural thing in tho world.to pass round a bag of gooseberries in a London omnibus.' In tho Strand a fashionably-dressed woman who entered the omnibus was complctolv taken aback by the sight of the hag that was immediately put before her. Then she understood, and she said, "How very kind—thank you so very much!" And all those London-: *'ers" actually smiled. . Amongst tho proposals submitted by the employers to the. Arbitration. Court in Christehurch in connection with tho painters' dispute, waß one that an apprentice should attend the School of Art for four hours oach week in working time, the fees to be borne by the employer. "I think that is a very fair and good proposal," said Mr. justice Stringer. "I was amazed when I was in Auckland at the lack of qualification in most of the witnesses. Some could not even do swimming and paperng, and most of them could not do sign-writing. From what I could see most of them were merely fit to paint tho outsido of a houso, and yet they called themselves qualified tradesmen. I think that a chance for an apprentice to become a well-qnalified man such as this offers is a first-class thing." I« answer to Mr. J. A. M'Cullough, Mr. F. Cooper, who was conducting the case for the employers, stated,that the Sohool of Art was the institution decided ! on by both' ors and union, as it had more facilities than the Technical College. . "Washing your dirty linen in public" is a pluase that 6hould never be used in refined society, unless it is expressly expressed to impress the fact that "No Rubbing Laundry Help" washes all dirty .linen spotlessly clean without rubbing or injury. "And so say all of us!" Wellington Grocers.—Advt. The world's best judges have placed the Chevrolet Motor-ear firat value for money. It has a perfect electrical equipment. It will start electrically bv merely pressing the button, and the latter is absolutely reliable. A schoolboy can drive and manage the Oar with perfect safety. With the Chevrolet Car a person of moderate means can enjoy Hie pleasure and health invigorating 'influence of motoring. The price of the Touring Car is X 205, and the Roadster J2lO less. For further particulars, write or ring up THE DOMINION MOTOR VEHICLES, LIMITED, 65 Courtenay Place, Welling, ton.—Advt. i • "

Sn interesting find was mad© at; Pahiatua a few day 6 ago, when a Maori adze of flint, about- nine indies long , and three incbe6 broad at the cutting face and tapering to about two inches, at the head, was unearthed. A piece' is broken off the cutting edge, otherwise the adze is ill a good state of preservation. 0 "A Great story is going the round ofthe trendies about one of the Parliamentary visitors," writes a Gisborne soldier in Franco (says the "Poverty Bay Herald"). "The visitor was fitted out in one of Lieut. S'eddon's tunics, and, of course, "the star on the uniform got the salute it was entitled to from all the men who were passed. The M.P. was hugely delighted, and insisted on shaking hands with all who saluted him, thinking he was being re- . cognised by old supporters. Ho said to nearly all: 'I know your face, where have I seen you boforo?' and did quite a lot of electioneering in tho trenches. At one place he was in the Huns opened a bombardment, and between shots lie was out from under cover looking for curios. Another member grew rather excited when shown three aeroplane photos of the sector lie had been over. Ho seized the hand of one of the officers, and, shaking it vigorously, said, 'Man, to-day I have lived; yes, lived, lived, lived.'" A young Napier boy recently got a thorough scare through a thoug'ntless action (says the "Telegraph") as a result of which the Maoris expressed great anger. The lad is at present in. the King Country, where the Maoris still cling with tenacity to their oldtime beliefs. The lad, while endeavouring to make some repairs, removed some timber from an old Maori boat whjch was "Tapu-ed." That same night the Natives assembled in strong force, and made what was a very threatening manoeuvre against tho- station where the young man w.as employed. After a. good deal of trouble, the Maoris were persuaded that the crime against their sacred custom was committed through ignorance, and they withdrew. At the height of .the trouble serious' consequences 6eemed to be brewing.