PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3131, 9 July 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Operations in the main theatres have not yet opened out as they may be expected to shortly in the new conditions created by the Russian offensive, but the outlook remains promising. Unless current reports of a great eastward movement of German troops are grossly exaggerated the Anglo-French and Italian armies will soon be striking hard in concert with their Russian allies. The Italians already report a successful local assault on the Carso Plateau, an area in which they have for some time past been at a standstill. - So far as the Western theatre is concerned attcn-

tion still centres in the great battle lately fought on the Aisno front. It is becoming clear that a parallel for the French achievement on the heights of the Aisne must be sought in their magnificent defensive stand at Verdun which did so much to determine the course of the war. One of to-day's reports suggests that the enemy, untaught by his disastrous failure north of the Aisne, is about to attack in similar fashion on tho Champagne- front, east of Reims. Here as well as north of the Aisne the French have mastered and hold commanding heights. Little is said at time of writing of detail developments of the Russian offensive, but it is reported that tho attack on the defensive, lines covering Lembcrg is being pressed with vigour and effect. A new development is reported in a message from Vancouver. The Russians, it is said, are attacking Pinsk, in the heart of the great Pripet marshes which interpose a wide, extent of comparatively dead ground in the middle area of the Eastern front. In the retreat of 1915 the Russians retired well to the eastward of Pinsk, but they seem now to have closely approached the town. A decisive defeat in Galicia and Southern Russia would compel the enemy to retire through the marshes and on the northern front as welK Meantime the possession of Pinsk is not particularly vital to either side. Probably, however, the Russians arcchiefly intent upon creating a useful diversion. Making free use of their mobile troops and .attacking on widely separated portions of tho front they would very seriously complicate the enemy's problems of defence. In this aspect last year's campaign, though it witnessed General Brusiloff's victorious offensive, was distinctly disappointing. There was comparatively little fighting outside the area of tjio main struggle in Southern Russia and Galicia, and tho explanation appears in General Brusilott's recent statement that the Russian High Command jlid not lend him effective co-operation. With General Brusiloff holding the supreme command it is likely that the Russian main offensive this year will "bo effectively seconded by action on other sections of the front.

London has again been bombarded from the air, and with results only less tragic than those of tho raid of last month, when a large number of children were killed and injured. On this occasion also nearly half tho victims were women and children, but the total casualty roll of 188 is somewhat less heavy than that of June. Another point of difference is that in tho raid reported to-day four of the enemy machines wero destroyed. It would appear, however, that, as-in tho Juno raid, the German air-assassins in approaching their objective gained a degree of immunity by flying at a very great height. Though they did not make a concealed approach _ (the_ route they followed is detailed in tho news) only one unit of the squadron was brought down in tho Thames, and that one at the mouth of the river. The other three accounted for met their fate after tho squadron had been intercepted by British naval aeroplanes forty miles out at sea. Presumably, therefore, the raiders flew at such an altitude that they were beyond effective artillery range, and were assured of a long start when they took to flight. %hile it is satisfactory that the .raiders did not escape scatheless, tho circumstances emphasise the extreme difficulty of protecting a great city dike London against air bombardment. Continued raiding, of this character will inevitably strengthen tho demand for reprisals in kind in spite of tho fact that tho British Government-has set its face against that policy.

An announcement by the American War Insurance Bureau, which appears to-day, looks at first sight somewhat alarming. It is to the effect that losses of United States merchant ships by submarine attack \fcre more than eleven tynes as great in the first six months of 1917 as the total losses for the previous two years. ' It has to be remembered, however, that in the two years selected for purposes of comparison comparatively ' few American ships were plying in the seas infested by German submarines. Formerly nearly one-half of America's total steam tonnage was employed on tlfc Great Lakes. Even since last year the American mercantile marine _ has greatly expanded, and In addition many lake steamers have been transferred to ocean service. According to a recent English estimate steamers of this class, aggregating a million tons, are no\v plying on tho Atlantic, and the total includes many steamers transferred to ocean service since the beginning of this year. Exact figures are not available, but it is a. safe conclusion that the increased tonnage of American ships plying in the danger areas is a much bigger factor accounting for the heavier losses suffered this year than the intensified activity ot the German submarines.

A statement by Sexor Dato, the Spanish Premier, that Spain is determined to adhere to strict neutrality means, apparently, that he stands for neutrality at any price. It should mean also that Senor Dato will have some difficulty in retaining oflice. He considers English and French criticisms of Spanish foreign policy unjust, but the sharpest criticisms of Spain s international attitude have comO ( not from foreigners but from .Spaniards/. Count Rojianoner went out of office in April last declaring that the time had come for Spain tolmakc common cause with the- Kntenle.. The Prieto Government, which succeeded that of Count Romanones, expressly repudiated a policy of neutrality at any_ price. Radical leaders also, while- favouring honourable neutrality, have denounced the policy actually pursued by their country as shameful. It is well established that Spain has in the past granted facilities to German submarines, or winked at the operations of enemy agents assisting those raiders, and she has granted free scene to German propagandists within her frontiers. In return, she is now threatened with commercial ruin, and many of her shins have boon destroyed. A Spanish Minister who to-day advocates continued neutrality is" manifestly giving little thought to his country's honour and interest.

The Military Authority under the War Peculations Act, in a letter read at the ineotin" of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, stated that the board , .' mm mil roporls posted to places outside New Zealand had been stopped in tho post and returned to the board, as "they contain information that would bo of uso to the enemy," and tho board was requested to only issue such documents confidentially. The secretary was asked to act in conformity with the request,