PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3098, 31 May 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A number of messages to-dav are suggestive as indicating tho extent to which Austria, after nearly three years of exhausting effort, is feeling tho strain of war. .Reports dealing with the Isonzo front tell of continued progress by the Italians in spite of tho enemy's utmost efforts to bring them to a halt. Tho outlook for the- enemy is not improved by statements which, apparently obtain crcdonce in Pome that the decision to defend Trieste at all costs was taken in opposition to the advice of von Falkenhayn and von Ludesdorff, von Hindeniiurg's righthand man, who advocated withdrawal to a stronger defensive line. Assuming that this report is founded on fact; the point of difference would seem to bo that the German General Staff now regards the defence of tho Austrian naval ports and fleet as a matter of minor importance, whereas the Austrians hold it vital. It can as yet ODly be tentatively assumed that such an issue has been raised, but if the members of tho German Geneva} Staff entertained doubts as to the ability of the Austrians to withstand assault on their lino covering Trieste the events of the Italian offensive suggest that theso doubts were warrantcd._ A British correspondent to-day paints an impressive picture of the formidable difficulties of ground and fortifications which still opposo an Italian advance, and no doubt tho picture is strictly accurate so far as the greater part of the battlefront is concerned. But late reports indicate that there- are reasonably good prospects of an Italian advance on the southern section of the front and that the occupation of Trieste and an invasion of Istria are practical possibilities. Furthermore the best defences in the world will not save the Austrians if they are unable to maintain effective strength in men and guns, and it is largely because thcro is reason to believe that their resources in these particulars have been heavily drained that late events and curront reports arrest attention.

An official assurance issued from Berlin _ thai, tho Ausfcro-German alliance is not weakened by the recent Ministerial changes in tlungary is in itself suggestive of weakness and uncertainty., If the- alliance were as secure as is alleged, an assurance on the point would not have been necessary, and presumably would not have been issued. A speech by Count Tisza, tho lately-deposed Premier of Hungary, which is reported to-day discloses what seem to bo the actual facts of tho situation. The- speech indicates that the Emperor Karl is pressing for an extension of political privileges to his Slav subjects, and that Tisza, as the representative of the Magyars, is fiercely and relentlessly opposed to this reform on the ground that it menaces Magyar political supremacy. Indications are at present that though Tisza is removed from office the Emperor has not carried his point and has no immediate prospect of doing so, but this certainly does not mean that all is well in Hungary and that tho stability of the Austro-German alliance is assured.

It scorns very possible that internal political disorders and the late turn of .events on the Italian front cover only a part of the problem with which the Dual Monarchy will have to cope in the near future. A German official report to-day states that Russo-Rutnanian attacks are expected, and though the statement may have been made with intent to deceive, it is just as likely, in view of other recent reports of similar tenor, that the expectation mentioned is actually entertained. The Italians are already fighting with good prospects, and it hardly needs to be observed that the prospect of reaching- decisive results so far as Austria is concerned would be much improved if the Russollumanian armies took concerted action in the Carpathians and on the Rumanian front. Distinctly promising possibilities are opened up in the suggestion' that the Allies are about to take action on these lines.

No material change is reported at time- of.writing in the state of affairs obtaining in ' the Western theatre. News _ from the British front relates chiefly to raids and artillery bombardment. On the French front the Germans have suffered he'avy defeat in attempted attacks on Hurtobise farm, an important road junction on the plateau west of Craonne. Here, as on the greater part of the Aisne plateau, the French are commandingly placed, and the enemy's latest attempts broke down under artillery fire.