PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3117, 22 June 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

. In the week ending June IT, five more British ships over ICOO tons were sunk than met that fato'in tho previous week, while in the case of ships under 1600 tons there is a reduction of five. Thus, although the total number of ships sunk was tho same in each week, tho tonnage loss for tho later week must show a considerable increase. More promising feaures of the return are that the totals of arrivals and departures both constitute a record for theperiod sincq the system of. weekly reports was instituted, iind that the proportion of unsuccessful attacks is high. Thirty-two ships in all were sent to tho botttom last week, but thirty-one were attacked and escaped. It is evident that, though the elaborate measures ta-ken to intercept and destroy tho raiding submarines arc not yet completely effective,' a great deal is being done by armed ships and protecting patrols to set limits to their destructive activities. Since an appreciable proportion of tho merchant ships lost week by week areblown up by mines, it must bo assumed that for a considerable time past tho submarines have more often failed than succeeded in their attacks ma do in the ordinary way with gun or torpedo.

The elaborate nature of the defen-sive-offensive campaign against tho submarine, in Allied waters is revealed in a masterly littlo pamphlet on the subject by A. Rousseau, naval editor of tho Paris Temps. The entire French coast from _ Belgium to Italy has been divided into small patrolling sectors, each with its own assigned reconnaissance forces. These comprise hydroplanes and captive balloons as well as ships of all kinds. Tho hydroplanes maintain a regular daily patrol. Wireless serves the double purpose of giving warning to merchant ships and co-ordinating the movements of the patrol boats. Ono method consists in the use of submerged nets, not for tho purpose of barring out tho U-boats or snaring them, but for the purpose of locating them. These nets aro free-floating and electrically connected with somo contral stai'on, on tho model of tho electricallycharged barb-wire employed by tho British in tho Boer War to give .notice of the presence of an enemy. A submarine in the mere act of brushing by ono of these nets records ite presence at a certain spot, which is immediately besieged with ships and aeroplanes. M. Rm'SSEATJ estimates that by_ tho first of this year there were sixty miles of protective and exploratory network in French waters. Ho also lays stress on tho development by the British of the minefield barrage for a distance of more than 250 miles from Jutland to Flamborough Head. Hitherto, ho says,_ the Üboats have been able- to pick their way among tho mines, but dispositions have now been raado to prevent their breaking the line either hy passing under tho mines or between them.

Continued quiet on the- Isonzo front awaits an explanation, but the Italians record a- further important success in tho- Eastern Trentino. They have mastered the summit of tho mountain stronghold (Mount Ortigara), on.which they gained a footing a few days ago, and taken 936 prisoners. This is an unusually big haul in mountain warfare. At time of writing there is little news oE importance from tho other land theatres, though it is evident that the British are maintaining a heavy pressure on tho Germans at vital points on the main front. In particular four heavy and determined, but abortive, counter-attacks bv the. enemy on positions he lias recently lost in tho low country south of lens suggest that he entertains uneasy apprehensions of a development of the British offensive in that quarter.