PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3138, 17 July 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A rising intensity of conflict is reported in the Western theatre, notably on tho French front. The French havo won a definite success in the Champagne, ousting tho enemy from strongly-held positions in the north-western section of tho Moronvillers hill-group, about ten miles cast of Reims. In this action, in which they were content to dislodge tho enemy from a limited area of ground after prolonged bombardment, the French arc presumably carrying out the policy of prudence, not lacking in energy, lately forecasted by the Minister of War. Tho general position in the Champagne is that the French hold tho commanding heights of tho Moronvillers hill-group, while the enemy remains established in a similar cluster of hills further west from whicih his guns dominate Eeims. These positions are liable to bo turned by a French advance north and north-west, from the Moronvillers hills. Tho successful attack reported to-day is a step in this direction, and probably has much greater importance than would bo implied in the ordinary way in the. gain of a limited area of ground. Tho communique dealing with the battlo states that tho enemy's positions were very strongly organised, and that he suffered heavily in vain attempts to recover them. In the circumstances it is probable that these statements are m no way exaggerated. .* # * *

The Germans claim tEat they made important gains in an assault on French positions oh the Chemin des Dames Ridge, at a Eoint south and slightly east of aon. They speak of the capture of important positions on the Chemin des Dames 011 a front of over 1500 yards and. to a depth of rnoro than 300 yards. These captures, judging by tho French report on the same events, appear to be "largely imaginary. That there was an intense struggle both sides are agreed, but the French admit only a slight loss of ground. At all events the affair began and ended on the descending northern slopes of the Chemin des Dames Ridgo, and the enemy achieved no such definite advantage as rewarded the French attack in tho Champagne. It is evident that the enemy's efforts on the French section of tho front have weakened in recent days. As yet the change is tentative, but it is likely to become more decidedly manifest in the near future. The fact that France is no longer called upon to undertake as big a share as she did at an earlier stage of the Allied war cffortshould not be allowed to obscure the fact that the French army in the Western theatre is still one of the most formidable engaged in tho war. This' fact was emphasised some weeks ago' by a British correspondent with the French armies. My own observation of the' French . armies," •ho wrote, "makes me absolutely certain that never were they in bettor lighting trim, never was their confidence in the generals by whom they are commanded greater than it. is, and never were they more ready to lay down their lives for their country. They do not talk about sacrifices at the front, these splendid friends of ours. They make them. And the only thing that the rest lof us, French and English, can clo to help them and be worthy of them is' to go and do likewise." If, as seems likely, the Allies are on the eve of a great concerted attack it may be taken for granted that no minor part will bo allotted to the Frcnch.

No big development in tho Russian offensive is' reported at time of writing. The Russians have effected soijie further captures, but tho flooding of the Galician rivers is apparently impeding their progress to a somewhat serious extent. It is still comparatively early in the season, and these unfavourable conditions will no doubt bo modified in the near future. Accounts given of the spirit animating the armies and of the passage of reinforcements to the front throw encouraging light on future prospects. Tho Germans are reported to bo rapidly transferring troops from France to tho East front, but this is a perilous policy,_ and one to which thcro are definite limits.

Another constitutional struggle is threatened' in Greece. Indeed it will bo made inevitable if Kino Alexander dooa nob retract his ro-

ported refusal to consent to the convocation of the Chamber of Deputies. Fortunately there is little reason to fear that Alexander, if he should prove obdurate, will be able to emulate the example of his father. He would bo much more likely to speedily forfeit the throne to which lie so .recently succeeded. Even in Constantine's day, M. Venizelos had the support of a considerable majority of the Greek people. The five divisions organised by the Provisional Government at Salonika probablv now constitute the backbone of the Greek Army, 'and in recent days many pro-C}crman officers of the Royalist Army, which was interned in the Morea, have been relieved of their commancls. There is little doubt that M. Venizelos, apart from the support of the Allies, is now backed By such a formidable body of nowcr that Alexander would be foolish to challenge his authority.