PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3029, 16 March 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The enemy is displaying at places a spirit of aggressiveness. This is what the High Commands in the Allied armies delight to witness. Heavy enemy attacks _ have been hurled against the positions taken up by the French along the lino between the Butte du Mesnil and tho Maisons de Champagne, and with a modesty that bespeaks confidence this is how the French official communique tells tho tale: "The onemy was unable to reach our positions anywhere, and sustained heavy losses." In this salient the French had attacked, and tho counterattacks by the enemy to recover the lost ground failed. Thereby our allies were enabled to solidify thengains and press forward for further successes. Ths is exactly what has boen accomplished. Not only have the French inflicted losses upon tho enemy in the counter-attack, but they have fought with determination and valour in the vicinity of Hill 185 and the Maisons de Champagne, in hand-to-hand encounter, with hand igrenado and bayonet, and they have taken moro of the enemy's trenches. Added to all this, tho French forces between the Meuse and Airemont penetrated tho German lines at several points, even unto the second line and captured many prisoners. Thus our ally has again displayed a superiority over the enemy which must give a, peculiar sense of satisfaction to all who follow tho progress of the war with intelligent interest.

Then there is activity on the' Sommo, whore tho British are pressi ing forward- and solidifying their gains in the region of Bapaumo. Indeed, it is not reading too much into the messages wo publish this morning to say that the fall of this important position may bo recorded at any moment. When the enemy, is compelled to evacuate Bapaumo, and that is imminent, we may expect to learn- of the complete retirement of the Germans from many of their positions between Peronne and Arras. The captures recorded yesterday o'f Loupart Wood and Gjovillors establish the British in a commanding position overlooking Bapaume. And so far have our forces advanced in tho south-east of that town that it is now being played upon as by two fires. That is to say, Bapaume is enfiladed by British guns from north and south, so that its occupation is a matter of short duration. Looking at the position as it appears in tho maps bofore us, thoro is no reason to question tho conclusions of such' war correspondents as Mr. Beach; Thomas and Mr*. Philip Gibbs. Thoy are agreed that impprtant British movements in this sector are pending and the enemy cannot escape sevore punishment in the region of the Sommo, even if disaster does nob overtake, him. Upon tho wholo British front here there is a strong probability of one grand forward movement; and so complete _ and .efficient has the British machino'_ becomo on the Western front, with its millions of men and innumerable heavy artillery, that when it moves wo may expect it, to move with irresistible force. Wo are justified in this conclusion by the history of the Somme push in the late autumn of last'year. Further colour is given to these conclusions "by tho "remarkable" article of the enemy's military oritic, Major Moraht. Ho has writ-, fen an article to tho semi-official Tagchlatt insisting upon the advantage to German arms that would result from a shortening of the enemy's line on the Western front. This is significant in more senßes than ono. Politically, it has been contended that Germany could not afford to effect such a ■ manoeuvre. It was recommended after the Mame by no less an authority than General Moltke, but the Kaiser and Genera;, Hxndenburgi would have none of it. Why? Because they considered that a withdrawal

to a position nearer the Rhine, if not upon the Rhine itself, would arouse gravo misgivings and forebodings of disaster in the public mind of Germany. That the High Oommand could not face. Now, however, h&viijg bad n tasto of the British and_ French forcing tactics and possessing some knowledge of the increased strength of the British armies in tho field, Major MOraht, fresh _ from the German Headquarters, is permitted to uemicfficially break a. probable retirement along the whole Western front —and break it gently—to the German public, who have hitherto been taught to believe that Germany was bound to win the 'war and 'oxact enormous indemnities from a discredited and defeated Entente. Major Moraht has doubtless been instructed to creato a diversion. He docs it in citing Hindenburg's retreat from the Mansurian Lakes region, and how the Russians suffered thereby. Tho cases are by no means parallel, but even if thoy were, what, is there on the Eastern front today to which Major Moraht or

anyono else can point which in oalculated to 1 bring comfort to Germany ? Tbo German retreat in the West, mav be the best thing to do, u j. u „„t. il: j. i but it 1H _ e only th.ng to do 3 and fchati makes aJI tuo mfrerenoo.,

AiNniHKR significant portent is worth noting. Germany is about fo raise her sixth war loan. The Kruppb have contributed two raillions. That was before the fall of Bagdad. Now it is announced that tho taking of Bagdad by British arms was inconvenient. Why inconvenient? Because such a disaster was calculated to militate against the success of the loan. Why should it militate against tho war loan if the people, still, hold hopes of a successful onding of the war from the German point of view? Tho fact that the moral effect of the capture of Bagdad has oridangered the raising of more loan money to carry on the war is a bad sign for Germany. Daily events are convincing the German people of tho utter hopelessness of the struggle. Wo are told thai, the hope of tho,German war loan at this juncture depends upon a victory somewhere by Hindenburg. Where is he going to get it? When, too, the Gorman public mind realises to the full the full significance of tho break with China, there will bo more commercial misgivings than ever, and any future war loans will be still more difficult to float". Meantime tho leading generals of the German Army are in conference; consulting about the military position, and a political crisis has arisen in Austria-Hun-gary. Political and domestic difficulties aro besetting our enemies, and to these are to bo added tho non-success of their military enterprises. To restore confidence among the peoples of Central Europe would rcquiro some grand dramatic military victory. Where that is to be does not appear anywhere ob the military horizon. That a supremo effort will be made is certain; it may even result in sorno temporary advantago, though this is unlikely. It will certainly make a heavy drain on tho enemy's remaining resources, and by so doing hasten the end. Therefore the threatened big offensive is to bo welcomed.