PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3032, 20 March 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Progress advancement* unci success for the Allies aro reported this morning from aIL fronts. .The weather has improved, and activity is everywhere. The pressure of the Allied armies is still making itself felt most markodly on the Western lino, and the nows from thi3 quarter excels expectations. With the capture of Bapaume, as we noted yesterday, and the forward advance to the south, the fall of Peronno was only a question of hours. Peronne was mado by the Germans an important centre of defence when they lost the battle o£ tho Marno. Although it only contained 4500 inhabitants, it had become of distinct importance in this portion of the line, and its capture is a further tribute to the skill with which the British advance is being made. Tho taking of Peronne from the Germans at this juncture means more than success to tho genius and ability of our forces. It means discomfiture to the enemy, who, in evacuating Peronno "according to our plans," admits the initiative and forceful methods of Sib Douglas Haig. As with tho fall of Bapaume, so with the capture of Peronno, many other smaller towns and villages will naturally fall into our hands. Further north, in the vicinity of Arras, the British forces are pushing forward, and tho capture of Croisillcs, some eight miles to tbo south-cast, may be expected at any time. Indeed, wo aro in-' formed that in tho Arras district the Germans aro likely to yield under British pressure a considerable area. As we observed three days ago, tho fall of Peronne and Bapaumo Scant tho ousting of the enemy from all tho region between that town and Arras, and the straightening of tho cnemyAs line. It may mean more, but we must not anticipate too rapid progress even under favourable weather conditions, for tho Germans will use every measure, such as mining roads and railways, destroying bridges, and burning defenceless towns for the purpose of hampering our advance.

In unison with tho forward move-1 menfc of tho British, the French are exhibiting tho utmost activity south of Royo to Ribecourt, by way of Lasaigny. From Lassigny to Soissons, and from Soissons to Reims tho artillery of the French prepared the way for infantry advances and occupation. In places the enoffiy havo abandoned highly fortified points without showing fight. This is a tribute to tho effectiveness of French gunnery, and also to the skill with Avhich the Allied plans have been made and carried out. Our Ally's forces pressed tho foe from Lassigny along tho Noyon road, some twelve to fifteen miles, inflicting heavy losses, and taking many prisoners, is'oyou itself has bceu taken. This is a great triumph for French arms. As a. town, Noyon in nearly twiro the size of Peronno, but is not, we should imagine, so important from a. military viewpoint. Germany admits tho evacuation of Noyon as part of a precunmived plan, but we uow know that tliat means they have been compelled by '.he conditions imposed by the Allies lo flee before the conquering French. So great lihs been the pressure-, of (.he l''rowfi in this salient flml, the '-riomv mr.y I.- fnfivd in ;.i )'i>w (Jjyf, Iμ ivi;,-.. |'~ a- Mraighlciu-d line running IV,.mi -,i point cast o£ boisiionu to Arras. I ils, Fhisis Gxßßs'a statement of the

position as he sees it from tho British Headquarters gives verisimilitude to that suggestion, for ho observes: "The Germans are in full retreat to new lines many miles in their rear." Never sinco tho turning of the enemy at the Marne has such splendid news been presented. The Germans are laying waste the country as they flee, but the French and our own cavalry patrols -are actively pursuing, being far in advance of our own lines, and they should be able to lesson the work of devastation and harry the retreating enemy. With all this, it is gratifying to learn that our troops are everywhere displaying the utmost enthusiasm for the great task before them—routing the Germans.

Thh latest news as to tho position shows that within twenty-four hours, in -conjunction with our Allies, we havo captured such important centres as Peronnc, Chaulnes, Neslo, and Noyon, and somo sixty villages scattered along a 45-mile front, which we have penetrated in places to a depth of ten miles. It is a magnificent climax to the steady, plugging work which has | been carried on against tho strategi-' cal points in. the cuams's deforces. As those positions fell or became im.perilled, tho enemy was forced to shift his ground all along the line. Tho use of cavalry in harrying tho retreating enemy is in itself significant. It affords the clearest possible evidence of tho extent of tho retreat, and we may hope has materially added to the cost which he has had to pay for his retirement to his new positions. At tho moment we are left in tho dark as to the position of the new lino to which the Germans have been compelled to fall back. It is, however, by far the biggest movement since the retreat from tho Marno. Ero leng we shall learn whether the enemy is in a position oven to choose his next stopping-place. With a continuance of fino wcathor it will bo possible to move the Allied artillery with greater rapidity, and tho pounding of the enemy's new lines ,will soon be in full awing. Then wo shall seo.

If America' were ready to striko it is probable -she would do so now. Three- United States steamers havo been sunk somewhere off tho coast of Franco, and thirty-two American citizons aro missiisg. Naturally this has created immense concern in New York, and it is said tho Government at Washington regards the sinking of tho steamers and the sacrificing of American citizens as the expression of Germany's determination to defy President Wilson and the people of the United States. No other reading can be taken from such an outrage. How much longer will the Government of tho United States ondure the open hostility of Germany in the destruction of her shipping and tho massacro of her citizens without retaliation? It is unsafe to phophecy, but if ever America is going to act, it seems that sho must act now.

The situation is Mesopotamia continues satisfactory and interesting. General Maude is pressing home his advantage with striking rapidity, which is' characteristic of all great soldiers, while tho Prussians in tho north-west, in tho neighbourhood of Kermanshah, arc driving the Turks out of Persia. _ Everything points to the Turks being caught between the upper and nether millstones of the Russian and British armies, and a crushing defeat inflicted; or, a a our messages put it, tha Turks will be driven into the desert to perish. Tho Russian capture of Van, on tho edgo of the' lake of that name in Asia Minor, is further evidence that the Turk, weakoncd by his German ally, is quite unable to off-stall the powors arra.yed against him. With affairs culminating rapidly towards '-Turkish overthrow in ABiatio Turkey, it is little wonder thatconeternation is seizing the authorities at Constantinople, and that frantio appeals and urgent summonses are being issued for a recall of the Turkish troops who have been drafted to tho Balkans to help tho Germans and Austrians to retain their hold on Serbia , and Bumaniaj but from the reported successes of tho French in Macedonia, it is clear that any Turkish troops in that quarter can ill bo spared , .■ The news to-day from Macedonia is indeed the best we have had for some time. Krora Italy, too. comes word of a success in tho field, and fresh evidence of tho unity of the nation. If; is manifest that at practically all points the line of steal surrounding tho Central Powers and their allies is stronger than ever, and that everywhere the pressure exercised is making for immediate successes with still greater triumphs in prospect.