PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3146, 26 July 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Some of tho news from tho Western theatre to-day is suggestive of great events in near prospect. The Germans report that, the artillery battle in Flanders has reached a pitch of unprecedented intensity, and that "tho enemy's thrusts are increasing."; This, with the news that they have heavily reinforced their lino from tho Flanders' coast to the region east of Arras, indicates that another'big development of the British offensive is anticipated. Meantime tho French, who have lately been subjected to tremendously heavy pressure, report a successful stroke on tho Aisno front, in the vicinity of Craonne, which has recovered nearly all tho_ ground captured by tho Germans in that area a day or two ago. In particular tho Germans have been thrown out of all the positions they gained on tho northern edgo of tho CaliforniaTTlateau, with tho exception of one small work. The vitality of tho French defence and the futility of tho enemy's efforts to break it have been once more strikingly demonstrated. Even when full allowance is made for tho recent Russian disasters, it is probable that the enemy line in tho Western theatre is in extromo jeopardy. For many weeks the Germans have been subjected without respite to a devastating bombardment on the British section of the front, and have ■been squandering their diminishing reserves in vain attempts' to reconquer the heights of the Aisno and positions further cast. As a whole these positions very possibly represent tho key to the enemy's defensivo lino as it is now located.

Further disasters arc reported on the- Eussian front. In Galicia, the Russians have evacuated Stanislau, an important junction south of the Dniester, which was cap&ured in Brusiloff's offensive last year, and it is even worse news that a successful assault on German positions on the* Baltic front was nullified by tho voluntary retirement of some of the troops engaged. Though the Eleventh Army, on the Galician front, is singled out for condemnation as a body of traitors there is little doubt that the demoralisation of the troops is widespread. It is remarked by ono correspondent that Russia has closed worse breaches than have now been opened in her fighting front and that her present plight is the outcome of a political and not a lighting failure and may prove a blessing in disguise. Detail reports for tho time, however, lend no support to this hopeful view. Kerenski's declaration that tho Government will savo Russia by blood and iron if gentler measures fail is worthy of the man and the hour, but what the outcome of his efforts will be iB at present a more matter of conjecture.:

At two widely-separate'l places within the last two days the public has been solemnly warned of tho existence and insidious menace of German organised treaohery. Speaking in the French Senate, tho Premier (M. IIihot) said that France was in tho presence of a campaign of treachery, and tho police would be required to double their vigilance. This foul German propaganda, he said, must be suppressed. Coming, nearer home, tho Lieutenant-Governor of Now South Wales, speaking at tho State Recruiting Conference, warned his hearers that German gold was being spent _ unrestrictedly in Europe. Therein, he said, was an clement that might at_ any timo break out in a worse evil than anything yet contemplated. It has been proved beyond all shadow of doubt that German gold played at strong part in the recent disorders in Russia. AVhcn tho rebels at the fortress of Peter and Paul surrendered, every man, it is stated, had at least £35 in his possession. From what we have learned of German methods of making war, revelations of this kind occasion no surprise, because we naturally look for something of the sort in these and similar occurrences. But public warnings such as M. ItiBOT, in Paris, and the Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales, in Sydney, have uttered, emphasise the fact that the German campaign of organised treachery is a subtle and sinister monace. It is active, it is everywhere, and—this is tho point—it is, apparently, heavily financed.

German war-making resolves itself into attempts to win by any means, foul for preference. It has been fully demonstrated that under fair conditions, with tho odds even against us, we can beat the Germans in battle. They' know their system of organised'treachory. They prefer ,to fight an opponent whom their paid agents can stab in tho back while they advance on his front. When tho Germans defeated the Russians in tho great retreat of 1915, they defeated men who wore inadequately munitioned. This inadequacy was the result of an expenditure of German gold, which found its way into tho pockets of Russian traitors. .A lavish expenditure cf German gold in Greece placed the Allies at a temporary disadvantage in the .Balkans. Tho German communiques, to-day boast of victories against tho Russians, of great forward movements, and heavv losses inflicted. The public already knows why tho Germans are at present in a position to publish theso vainglorious announcements. ' These successes of which they boast represent interest on capital invested in organised treachery. It _is foul play. It is, as wo have said, everywhere at work—in America, tho South American Republics, South Africa, Ireland, China, Spainmenacing tho efficiency of armies, attempting to undermine the relations of tho Allies, seeking to thwart the warlike aims of outraged _ neutral nations who desire to join in the war against Prussianism.