PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3094, 26 May 1917, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

-4—-. :. | Another brilliant achievement by the Italians is reported to-day, and one which demonstrates clearly that they aro not appreciably hampered in their main offensive by the enemy's efforts to develop a, counteroffensive in the Tveptino. Reports available at time of writing do not supply many details, but they show that the Italians have broken through the enemy's lines on the front of half a dozen miles between Castagnavizza and tho Adriatic coast. They have captured a series of important positions, _ including five strongly fortified heights, and taken over nine thousand prisoners. In the bombardment which paved the way for these splendid achievements an important part was taken'by ten British; batteries. Another noteworthy detail is that 130 Italian aeroplanes and seaplanes which participated in the batlle all returned safely, to their bases.. This suggests that Italian supremacy in the air is as definitely established as that of the Allies in the AVestern theatre.

One/ rather puzzling feature in j the reports is the. reference to Jamiano. Infqrmation published in England a few months ago and based upon a review of operations from September to December,, 1916, issued by tho Italian Supreme Command, was to the effect that by the end of last year the Italians had carried. along tho, whole Cars'o front from the northern to tho southern ; edge of the' plateau. two main systems of Austrian .defences. Further, that tho line gained by the Italians -ran almost duo south over the Carso plateau past the western outskirts of Castagnavizza and Brestovizza. There is no reason to doubt the accuracy • of. this information, but • Jamiano stands nearly two miles west of tho line indicated, and westward of what was the enemy's second defensive system last year. Fuller details will probably show that tho apparent reference to Jamiano is really a reference to tho v road which runs east from that plaoe across the plateau. But for this detail the news all goes to show that what the Italians have done on the Southern Carso" is to'break through the line which constituted the enemy's third defensive system last year. They, have in addition made further progress on the slopes of San Marco, south-east of Gorizia, and on Monte Santo and Monte Vodice, further north. •- • '• _ .

Whatever/ the .exact position on the' Carso may be, there can be no doubt as to the magnitude of the latest Italian success. It is of particularly good augury, as has been suggested, that the Italians are able to develop their main offensive in this fashion, in spite of tho enemy's efforts to shift the centre of gravity to the Trentino. There is pretty definite evidence that the Austnans had planned a powerful offensive in this region, but it.now seems evident that the enemy's plans have ■•been dislocated by the vigour of the. Italian onslaught, and that no question is likely to arise as to the ability of our allies to-set the. pace of the campaign and dictate its direction. Events north of Gorizia and now on the Carso can only be taken to mean that the Italians, are absolutely confident of their ability to defeat any attempt'b'y the enemy to attack their main, communications bv an advance from, the Trentino. it the same time the footing gained by the Italians in the high positions north of Gorizia and east of that city gives them improved prospects of achieving important results in the region in- which they are nowVattacking. , " # w V

Current nows from .the Western theatre is entirely good, as far as, it goes, but holds attention rather in its promise of events to come than on account of those that have actually taken shape. The principal fighting reported at time or writing occurred at the eastern end of the Aisno front, where another German attack has beon broken under conditions disastrous to the enemy. The" statement that since May 1 the French have taken 8600 prisoners on the Aisne front and in the Champagne is an indication i of. exceedingly heavy enemy losses. The period to which the statement relates is one which has been very largely giver, over to German counter-attacks, and if follows that the cncmyVlosscs in prisoners ' during this period, have been in a small'-ratio• to his losses under (other heads. The general effect of recent news from the Wcst- | orn, .theatre is tbat tho enemy is bearing up under an almost unendurable pressure imposed by the Allies. It is very possible that he is in fact, as some 'reports allege, contemplating an early retreat. * » • »

An increasing stir of fighting on different parts of the Russian front, between the Baltic and tho Black Sea, is in tune with reports pointing to au improving political situation in Russia, Messages relating to the state of the Russian Army which arrived yesterday were somewhat in conflict, but to-day's news from the fighting front is of a nature to strengthen the hope ' that Russia, may bo. able, to take an effective part in this year's campaign.

Zeppelins have once again raided England, and bhis time in conditions 'of thick and cloudy weather which enabled them, as information stands, to get away undamaged. But it is evident that the conditions which ■ hampered pursuit also prevented the airships from aiming at

any definite objective." They steered an erratic course, Hying, no doubt, at a maximum elevation, dropped some bombs at random, and finally escaped in thick clouds. Probably the most efficient organisation that could be devised would not fully guard against raids made under these conditions, but on the other hand if the raiders succeed by such methods' in doing any damage it will only be by chance. In their latest effort they killed one man, and did a negligible amount.of material damage..