PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3001, 12 February 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

'No very new feature appears in the later reports dealing with tho submarine campaign. More ships have been sunk and more murders committed, and this for tho time being is the only aspect of'tho campaign that conies into plain sight, it is certain, however, that the counter-campaign is being prosecuted with vigour. As to the outlook, wo have «i confident declaration from Captain Pbetyman, who speaks with authority as Civil Lord of tho Admiralty, that Germany's present- under-watcr campaign will be defeated as were those that proceded it. So far as neutral nations arc concerned, the position at time of writing is broadly unchanged, oxcepb that their ships have been made the victims of further gross outrages. Tho replies made to Germany by the Latin Republics, it will be noticed, hear such a close resemblance as to suggest adherence to a, common plan. Though these countries have declined to follow America's lead iu severing diplomatic relations with Germany it remains as likely as ever that they will follow up their protests by more positive action, including the seizure of German shipping in their ports, in tho event of war between America and Germany. • » » » The part of the Channel in which a British destroyer was sunk on Thursday night is not stated at time of writing. If the unfortunate craft was engaged* in patrolling tho approaches from tho North Sea to the Channel transport route, it would seem likely that German mine-laying submarines are operating from Zeebruggo. This pluco is not necessarily out of action as a submarine base on account of the frozen condition of its harbour which was lately reported. Minolaying submarines have been used by the enemy since the early da.ys of the war, and some time ago ono was placed on exhibition in an English port. A number were takon to Zcebrugge from Germany overland and by canal. They wero built in three sections for convenience of transportation. Though small and of low speed they wore f[uitc efficient for the work of-lay-ing mines within a limited area. Larger submarine mine-layers may, of course, be operating from the Gorman main ports, and mines account for a proportion of tho merchant ships destroyed. It says much for the skill and efficiency witli which the Channel transport route is guarded that so few of tho warships devoted to tho task have fallen victims to mine, torpedo, or other form of attack. * * * * In a descriptive report of the recent fighting on the Ancre, Mb. Philip Gibbs remarks that the almost unopposed capture of Grandcourt proves that the German command prefers at this stago to save casualties rather than hold ground regardless of cost. From his own accompanying statements, however, it is clear that tho Germans have not willingly ceded ground the capture of which has brought the British appreciably nearer to Bapaume and tho railway junctions in its vicinity, but viewing the position at large, are being slowly thrust back by a gradually developing but irresistible attack. Grandcourt, Mk. Gibbs observes, became a placo of misery to the Germans after the capture of Beaueourt and Beaumont Hamel, and the position was made still worse by the British advance on both banks of the Ancrc a week ago. Beaucourt and Beaumont Hamel were captured in the middle of November. • It thus appears that tho Germans defended Grandcourt, after it had become a terribly exposed position for eleven weeks or. more, and only evacuated it finally when the progress of British attacks ou the flanks of the village stronghold threatened it with envelopment. Apparently also the evacuation of Grandcourt was hurried. Mk. Gibbs mentions that tho deep dugouts with which tho village is honeycombed were filled with stores and rations. Pressed as Germany is for supplies these stores would certainly not have been ftbandoned had their removal been possible. Taking all the circumstances as Mr Gibbs describes them into account, it is not easy to see on what grounds ho bases his theory that tho Germans arc in places voluntarily yielding ground in order to take up stronger positions in rear.

Apart from reports dealing with tho position at sea, thcvo is comparatively little war -news at time of writing. Intense activity continues, however, on tho West front. Both French and British are persisting in destructive raids and local attacks—preliminaries to the grand offensive for which preparations 'are- matiiring. AVhen tho Allies will noxfc strike on a big scale is a matter of conjecture, but they will not necessarily delay until tho return of good weather. On some parts of the front Ihoro arc iwmiafest incentives to vigorous action before the hard frosts now ruling arc broken bjr a fcka,w.. For instance,

Mr. Philip Gibbs mentions that as tho line of contact is now located in the Ancro valley, a thaw would find the Germans more advantageously placed than tho British, because their positions aro higher and drier. On a great part of the Somrne front opposite conditions obtain, the Allies holding the advantage of ground. It is not unlikely that an effort may bo made to rectify tho position in the Ancro valley before tho thaw arrives. An unofficial report from Petro-gr-ad, reviewing tho position on tho Rumanian front, speaks incidentally of the enemy having withdrawn from Braila and Focsani. It is good news, if true, that the Germans have evacuated these towns, but tho last received official reports dealing with tho Rumanian front showed both Braila and Focsani in tho enemy's possession. The evacuation of Braila and Focsani would imply that the Germans had given up all hope of forcing the Seretk line. This, of course, may bo true, even if both towns are still in their hands.