PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3126, 3 July 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Reports that Europo is preparing for another winter of war and that hopes of peace yi 1917 have been abandoned will occasion no particular surprise. The view had already been frcoly expressed that if the war ends this year it will be as the result ol a German collapse. This, of course, is not a-eontingency upon which the Allies can wisely reckon, though it is a. possibility. Even in the days before the Russian Revolution no French' or British military commander or statesman_ definitely predicted a military triumph in 1917, and such a triumph han necessarily been postponed to spine extent by tho temporary failure of Russia. It cannot be assumed that even tho most brilliantly successful Russian offensive, opening forthwith or presently, would make up for tho time that has been lost this year. That the Allies are fighting with sound prospects docs not mean that tho end is immediately in sight. Definite military ascendancy, greatly superior resources, and above all a just cause, are so many factors enabling tho Allies to look forward confidently, but the remaining duration of tho war is still a matter of conjecture. # ■ ■ France, it is said, is mobilising males from 1C to 61 years of age. If tho news is accurate it rclat?« evidently more | to industrial than to military organisation, though ii is likely enough that special measures may, bo taken to affortl some

relief to the inert of tlie active armies during the winter. So far as military mobilisation is -concerned, France called up the 1918 classthat of youths who reach tho age of 19 this year—in April .last. Presumably tho 1918 class -will not bo sent into action bc-foro tho later

part of tho summer, and it may be held back until winter. Available information is to tho effect that Germany is at least one class ahead of Franco in tho mobilisation of youthful recruits. No very new feature is disclosed in the Western campaign. The tremendous battering assault, in which the British are working round the doomed enemy stronghold of Lens and breaking into the German line at other points, has few aspects that are spectacular at a distant view. With increasing information, however, its formidable character is being mado more clearly visible. Tho capture of Lens is now in near prospect, and the event will mark a big forward stop in the developmont of tho attack on the enemy's northern flank, but British progress in the present stage of the conflict is measured neither by gain of ground nor by such captures of men and guns as Sir Douglas Haig reports to-day for tho month of June. The captures are fairly large, bnt they stand, no doubt, in a, very small' ratio to tho destruction [of life and material accomplished simultaneously. This is suggested certainly in the extracts from a Morning Post special article on tho West front, which appear to-day, notably in the accounts given of tho British counter-battery work. The British have captured hundreds of enemy field and heavy guns in tho course of the present offensive, but according to the Morning Post writer it is estimated that' they have in addition destroyed 1280 enemy guns during tho last twenty-threo weeks. Whilo he is being steadily pushed back under the irresistible weight of the devastating British attack, the enemy is continuing his local counter-attacks on the French front. It is reported to-day that, following up an intense- bombardment with large calibre shells, hegained a French trench on a frontof five hundred yards on tho northern slope of the Aisno Heights. It is evident, in any case, that a slight gain was effected at a tremendous expenditure of strength, and that aspect still better deserves attention in view of the statement of the Morning Post writer, just quoted, that there aro abundant indications that the Germans are short of guns and ammunition.

At timo of writing there is no definite news of the opening of tho Russian offensivo, but reports today give added reasons for behoving that its opening will not be long delayed. Eussian aud enemy" reports speak of'intense artillery bombardment in Galicia, and generally disclose just such conditions as usually precede offensive operations in tho main theatres. If the stem measures by which the mutiny of a Russian sbarpshooting corps is said to have beon repressed were actually taken, the incident indicates that tho Provisional Government is firmly determined to onforce discipline, and is now invested with the power to carry its determination into effect" * * ' * It was reported yesterday that General Allenby had arrived in Egypt and taken over the- oommand in that theatre. Ho succeeds General Sir Archibald Murray, who assumed tho ■Chief Command in Egypt early in 1916. General Murray had previously been Chief ot the Imperial General Staff for more than a year, General Allenby is an officer of distinguished reputation Ho commanded the cavalry ot tho Expeditionary Force which Viscount French took to Franco in 1914. Prior to going to Egypt no was in command of tho 3rd British Army in the Western theatre. The 3rd Army played an important part in the first Battlo of Arras and subsequent events. One of its achievements was the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, a tactical point of considerable importance dominating the Arras-Cambrai Road. Tho action of the Imperial authorities in sending General Allenby to Egypt is a, pretty clear indication that it is Intended to vigorously press the invasion of Palestine. The British force in Palestine, which has advanced to the Wadi.Ghuzze, about five miles south of Gaza, is under the immediate command of Lieu-tenant-General Sir Charles Dobell.