PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2979, 17 January 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

It is now soveral days since the enemy made any pronounced headway on the Rumanian front, and according to a Russian report published to-day the pressure of his attack is diminishing, not only aa a result of tho stubborn resistance of the Allies, but because winter weather has converted tho Danube plains into immense swamps. This is noteworthy because reoont reports have indicated thafc it was in tho legion of the Danube that the enemy was developing- hia main attack upon the Sereth line. The comments of Admiral Fouknieu, written in Paris after a visit to the 'Russo-Rumanian front and an interview with the.. Tsar, apeak for themselves. v lt is too soon to assume that tho tide has turned in the Balkans, -'and that the enemy's offensive effort is exhausted, but there are at least tentative signs of improvement. Weather opposes obstacles to any attack the enemy may be contemplating in Macedonia, as well as to his Rumanian offensive, and this, with the improving outlook in Greece, is so much to the good. The Allies meanwhile have a good deal to gain from delay in the Balkans, §inco each week that passes brings the time nearer when the enemy-will no longer be able to concentrate in secondary theatres, but will be subjected to a full pressure of attack in' all theatres.

Not without reason the change of front lately made by the Greek Koyalists is regarded by : Entente observers on the spot with deep suspicion. Commenting on the fact that newspapers which until recently wore indulging in rabid abuse of the Allies are now publishing laudatory Tpro-Entenle articles, a Daily Telegraph correspondent pointedly remarks: "I expect' King Oonstantine's policy will ba to endeavour to ' regain our goodwill, in order to better his position, and then stab us if opportunity arises." Apparently, howevor, the Athens Government feels it necessary to submit unreservedly to tho Allied demands, and tho outlook in Greece is better than it has been for a long time past. Yesterday it was reported that tM~Grcek population was delighted at the Royalist Government's acceptance of the Allied ultimatum, believing that the withdrawal of troops from. Thessaly would prevent Greece joining in the war, while the Venizelisfc Government would not be allowed to go to Athens to punish the Eeservists, who havo been brutally persecuting their Venizelist fellowcitizens, and arc now in fear of reprisals. Apparently it is on the lines hero indicated that a- settlement is projected—the neutral zone being maintained as a dividing l : no between the Vcnizelist and Royalist spheres of influence. The remark that Grecco will bo prevented from joining in the war calls, however, for some reservation. The'ltoyalist array, once safely deposited in Peloponnesus, will no doubb bo left there, and any Greeks who choose to remain lngloriously inactive south of tho neutral zono will te free to do so. But a not inconsiderablo part of the Greek population, in tho islands and in Macedonia, north of the neutral /.one, now acknowledges tho authority of the Venizelist Government, and is being organised for war.

Somk authorities state !hat the National Defence Government set up at Salonika is backed by a large majority of the Greek people at Some and abroad, tfor some time it has received dc-fα-clo recognition from the Allied Powers, and latterly Britain, Franco, and ICuf&ia have agreed to receive Venizelist diplomatic representatives and to send representatives to Salonika. An English writer gives the following account of the organisation and preparations of the Greek Nationalists:—"A Ministry has been formed with responsibility i 0 a triumvirate composed of M. vknizklos, General Dangus, and Admiral CouNDOuKiOTis, who are now exercising sovereign powers in the regions under their control. General Zimbbakis is the Minister of War, and he and General Danglis aro engaged in raising a volunteer army, which has been placed under tho command of General Paraskeropoulos. The array is being rapidly recruited and organised in units, and already (in November, ]fll6) comprises nearly 100,000 men. Two divisions have been raised in Macedonia, two. in the Aegean Islands, and another in the United States of..America,' where thero is a large colony of Greek emigrants. England and Egypt arc also furnishing large quotas of Greek volunteers. Clothing and equipment arc being supplied out of funds advanced to M. Vknizemjs ,by the Allied Governments. The formation of this volunteer army under tho aegis of General Sarrail is naturally displeasing to the Greek King, who still believes in the ultimate triumph of tho Central Powers, and

is unwilling, if he can help it, to commit his country to war on the side of the Allies, in spite of the fact that the Bulgarians, the hereditary enemies of the Greeks, have invaded his territory."