PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3129, 6 July 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

As matters are going in Galicia it will probably not bo long before the Western Allies strike another powerful blow in development of their offensive, but at time of writing tho principal event reported in the Western theatre is the. disastrous failure of a tremendous effort by tho Germans to dislodge the French from their commanding positions on the heights of tho Aisno. The attack developed at a number of points along a front of about 15 miles extending west from the region of Craonne, and evidently the enemy . made a whole-hearted attempt to recover his former foothold on tho Ohemin-des-Dames liidge. Along nearly the whole of the "front attacked the French hold the crest of the ridge, and for a great part of tho distance they 'are well beyond it to the north. ' The fury and determination with which the enemy pressed his assaults indicate clearly his extreme anxiety to improve his defensive position. The only result thus, far has been to further reduce his dwindling resources, and it is obvious that ho is at a stage in his fortunes when failures of this nature may entail more serious consequences than appear in his immediate losses. . At all events he has not only sacrificed a large number of lives to no purpose, but the weakness of his line in the area of the attack remains unremedied. Tlie initiative was only nominally with the enemy, in this affair. Actually it illustrates the success of the Allies in pressing in upon his weakened line, and compelling him to rapidly waste his remaining reserves.

It may on some grounds seem extraordinary, that the Germans should continue to sacrifice men with such reckless prodigality on tho Aisne front. There is in fact only one plausible- explanation of their policy. It is not to be supposed that they any longer entertain hopes of achieving decisive advantage in an offensive in the AVestern theatre, nor is it likely that they would persist in their present tactics if they contemplated an indefinite stand on the line they now hold. ■ The true explanation is probably to.be found in the fact that in mastering the heights of the Aisne the French have surmounted the principal obstacle to a drive into the flank of the great salient which the Germans hold in France. W,ith t{u> French posted on the heights of the Aisne and on the commanding Moron villcrs hill-group in tho Champagne tho enemy salient i« seriously exposed to attack/in flank. Tho position, already acute from the enemy's standpoint, might become desperate if ho found it necessary to execute an extended retreat, It is more than likely that he is contemplating such a movement, and the most convincing explanation ot his desperate attacks along, tho Aisne is that he is endeavouring to strengthen a vital section of his line with a view to as far as possible safeguarding a retreat.

No very marked development in the Eussian offensive is disclosed at time of writing, but available reports emphasise the importance of the initial success won by the armies of the Republic; and indicate that it is likely to he effectively followed up. Brief extracts from an interview with General Bkusiloff certainly suggest that he. regards the outlook with confidence. Presumably in his criticism'of the Russian High Command as it was constituted last year he is instituting a comparison, and directing attention to the improved prospects that have opened with the revolution.

Last week's return of British ships sunk by submarines and mines showed a marked decline as com-' garcd with the previous week, and tho return published to-day shows a further material drop, except in tho case of fishing craft. In the last three weeks, including that reported on to-cfty, the losses of ships of over 1600 tons have been respectively 27, 21, and 15. A French return departs from precedent in giving the number of naval and other attacks on the submarines made by French. foitfes during June. There were in all 42 such attacks, 31 by naval patrols, 8 by seaplanes, and 3 by coast defence artillery. Since the British antisubmarine forces aro organised on a far greater scale than the French it is safe to conclude that in a given period they have correspondingly more numerous encounters with submarines. It is, therefore, reasonable to accept the French figures as indicating that the Allied forces in the aggregate are accounting for a considerable number of submarines. Thero is no doubt that of the submarines brought to action' by Allied patrols an appreciable number are captured or destrayed.

Though it resulted in a casualtyroll of eleven killed and 36 injured, the latest German air raid, on Harwich, leaves the enemy little cause for satisfaction. The raiding squadron was. immediately attacked and •.put to flight as it attempted to cross ''the English coast. In its fhghj; it was intercepted by Allied machines from Dunkirk, and two of its units were destroyed, and a -third brought down damaged. The raid is m ignoble contrast to the highly successful British attack on important enemy depots in Belgium, which is also reported to-day.