PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2955, 19 December 1916, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

It has been said that the Allies will best counter tho, German strategy, which aims at concentrating and using the greatest possible force in tho Eastern areas of war, by action in the Western theatre. This, of course, does not mean that the Eastern theatres, including tho Balkans, have in any degree lost importance, or that tho Allies can afford to slacken in their efforts to directly defeat tho enemy in these areas. To say that the German strategy will best be countered on the West front is only to recognise that by making effective use of their force where they are strongest and most definitely superior to the enemy the Allies _ can do a great deal to limit his operations in the Eastern theatres of war, and so materially simplify the problems to be solved in those areas. Touching upon this vital aspect of the war situation some weeKs ago, the military correspondent of the Manchester Guardian remarked: "The West is, after all, more favourable to a winter campaign than the East. We can, given sufficient energy, make such progress there that the German plans on the East will never mature.'" It should be added that the Manchester Guardian correspondent is fully alive to the necessity of an augmented effort in the Eastern and. South-eastern theatres. Indeed, in the article here quoted he urged that tho Salonika army should be speedily reinforced by at least 100,000 men, some of whom, he suggested, might he drawn from Egypt. But ho emphasised the point that the Germans were now clearly unable to make a great effort in one area of war without weakening themselves in another, and contended that the Allies would be neglecting their main chance if they did not conduct an aggressive campaign in tho Western theatre during tho winter. Much which goes to show that this estimate of the position is sound will be found in the circumstances of the latest battle at Verdun.

The story of the battle is told today in greater detail than in tho earlier reports, and it. is abundantly clear that it witnessed a wonderful triumph of French valour and ogamsation. Though he was established in immensely strong positions, and used one more division in defence than tho French did in attack, tho enemy seems from first to last to have been completely dominated. The conquest of nearly twenty miles of fortified territory in a single day of battle makes it necessary to revise current estimates c strength and resisting power of the German front. In this connection the striking statement is made by Mr. Warner Allen that the famous Pepper Hill (adjoining the Meusc), which the Germans had spent nine months in fortifying, was captured in two hours. It is suggested that the Germans were surprised by tho assault east of tho Meuse, having expected that the blow would fall on the other sido of tho river, but tho conclusion seems warranted that the inferiority in tho air and otherwise which laid them open to bo surprised in this fashion has becomo a normal and standing feature of tho AVestern campaign, and that the outlook is to be estimated'accordingly. The arresting feature of the affair is that tho French drove home their assault in face of a passive defence. They advanced with clockwork precision to the selected line, and made no attempt to occupy further territory, though patrols were sent out ahead of tho main advance to destroy guns left unprotected by the enemy in his disordered retreat.

Late news shows no improvement in the situation in Rumania, where it is now again reported that the Gkand Duke Nicholas has taken over the chief command. It is evident that the Russo-Rumanians aro still declining a general battle, and the enemy advance, as it is now developing, threatens their last foothold on the Danube. Reviewing the Rumanian campaign recently an English correspondent remarked, "It cannot be too clearly understood that there has been no failure in the quality of tho Rumanian troops. Now, as always, they are the very best material for an army, and up to a certain point they are efficient. But it is impossible to resist the conclusion that they aro suffering, as the Russians and ourselves suffered last spring, from shortage of munitions, and especially o£ large calibre guns and high-explosive shells." .It is only too clear that the conditions hero outlined stand broadly unaltered to-day. The Russo-Rumanians certainly do not lack numerical strength, but their continued retreat affords evidence that they are still outmatched by thoenemy in artillery, and more especially in heavy artillery. But while tho local position in Rumania is bad, it is possible to hold more confidently than ever that the enemy is pursuing an unwise policy in achieving a superior concentration in Rumania at tho expense of vital interests in the Western theatre.

Generally speaking, events in Greece seem now to bo taking as favourable a turn as could reasonably bo expected, with the exception that the Allies • appear to be unduly moderate in demanding only the evacuation of Northern Greece by the Royalist forces. In view of the gross treachery practised at Athens and Constantinb's evident inclination to second any offensive tho Germans may attempt in Macedonia, it would have been strictly reasonable to demand the complete disarmament of his troops. As reports stand, the demands presented are being complied with, but that tho atmosphere has by no means completely cleared is indicated in tho fact that the Allied Ministers have left Athens and are aboard ship in Piraeus Harbour.

As one correspondent remarks, the failure of the Germans to save these guns showed that they had not a kick left after tho battle. Up to the moment of writing there is no news of their having attempted either a local counter-attack or a counterstroko at any other point. Apparently thoy aro committed to tho passive defence which fell so far short, of requirements on Saturday. With matters in this state it should be well within tho power of the Western Allies to achieve results in a. vigorous development of tho winter offensive which will far moro than balance. aIK that tho 'enemy has achieved in Rumania. Tho possibility rema'ins that tho Germans may attempt' to meet the position by an extended retirement in tho Western theatre, but tho chances aro increasingly against it. That they have strong incentives to retreat was made plain in Saturday's battle, but the very fact that they are clingiwr to their present front under such conditions as now obtain suggests that they no longer consider a safe retreat possible. If tho option of a safe retreat were open to the enemy the Allies would have no great inducement to press tho offensive during the winter, but the actual position is that they have such a superiority in mobile troops as well as in other arms that in resorting to an extended retreat the enemy would in all likelihood invite disaster. An immense body of cavalry is awaiting its hour behind the Franco-British line in the Western theatre, and it need not be doubted that the Allies are fully prepared to deal with, the contingency of an enemy retreat.