PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 28 July 1917, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Very gra-vo issues are hanging in the balance on the Russian front. As the situation is described at time of writing the enemy in South-east-ern Galicia is pressing forward) in an advance which threatens the Russian hold on a railway crossing northern Bukowina, from Kolomea, on the west to Czernowitz op. the east. Failing to hold this line, as M. Marcel Hutin' points out to-day, the Russians would probably be driven out of Biikowina, They would then have poor prospects of preventing an invasion of Northern Rumania, which would outflank the Russian and Rumanian armies established on the Moldavian frontier further south. ■ It is, in fact, clear that unless the Russian retreat is speedily arrested, the present dimensions of the disaster will soon bo greatlv exceeded. It was suggested yesterday that the offensive successfully undertaken by the Rumanians in Southwestern Moldavia _ indicated confidence in the security of their northern flank. To-day there is news that the initial success has been developed, not only by the Rumanians, but by neighbouring Russian forces. In the aggregate more than two thousand prisoners nave been taken, and the attacking armies have in addition captured 57 guns (including the 19 reported yesterday) and a considerable amount of war material. As matters are going in Ga-licia and on the confincs of Bukowina', however, il>*is becoming difficult to feel confident about the security of the northern flank of the Russo-Rumanian armies in Moldavia, and while their successful offensive has manifest value as a diversion, it will not necessarily exercise a determining influence upon events further north.^

Thebe arc further suggestions today that a big battle is imminent in Flanders, but as yet no definite development. Meantime tKc Germans are persevering in the attacks on the French front north of the Aisno in which they_ have thus far reaped remarkably little profit. Reviewing the great battle recently fought at the castcTn extremity of the Aisne Plateau, Mb. Wabnhi Allen' shows that the final result is thJst the French havo everywhere restored their line, and that not a single observation post in this area remains in German hands. Sinco the French fought throughout in strong and advantageous positions there is no reason to doubt that the enemy's losses were out of all proportion to those he inflicted. Some correspondents stale that the enemy s object is to wear down the Fiviich. but; he has chosen a remarkably costly method of pursuing that object. To-day the Germans claim important successes in a local battle south of Ailles (about three miles west of (Jraonnc), but available "French 9 reports indicate that this claim is'much exaggerated. The latest demonstration by the peiice-at-any-pricc minority in the House of Commons seems to have fallen particularly flat. It is stated that Mr. Ramsay Macdonald spoko for a. party of five members in moving that the House endorse

the sentiments of the peace resolution recently passed in the .Reichstag, and that the forthcoming Allied Conference on war aims should include democratic representatives. On broad grounds Mrc. Macdonald was adequately answered by Mr. Asquith, who touched tho root of the matter in' remarking that the advent of peace would not be helped by giving an impression of faltering determination. What the pacifist member's claim to speak for democracy is worth appears in tho declaration mado by Mr. G. J. Wahdle, himself a Labour representative, that British Lal/our is inilexibly resolved on victory arid realises that its object will be attained only by fighting.

Describing tho operation of tho American embargo law the Washington correspondent of the Morning l'nsi_ stated recently that in administering this measure the American Government will see that the demands of the Allies, whether for food, munitions, or other supplies, are first taken caro of, anil after that, if there is any surplus, neutrals whose wants are most urgent will be supplied, but neutrals must carry these cargoes in their own ships and, if the circumstanccs of tho case require, they may lie compelled to touch at another port on tho outgoing voyage or bring back a return cargo, should the military needs of tho United States make that necessary. Great Britain and the United .States controlling the coal supplies of tho world, neutrals will have no alternative"except to comply .with these regulations. Tho passage of the Bill, tho correspondent adds, is another proof of t.bo unity of purpose and complete accord existing between tho United States and its Allies. As soon tits America entered the war, the attention of the State, Department was directed to the necessity of . this legislation, and the experience of Great Britain and France- was cited. All the information in possession of l-ho British Embassy was placed at tho disposal of the State Derailment, and tho Bill would long ago have passed Congress had it. .not, besides dealing with the-.embargo,, contained censorship provisions, which led to prolonged and acrimonious debate.

Tub censorship proposals, it is remarked by the same correspondent, were immediately attacked by CheAmerican newspapers on the ground that they constituted an attempt on the part of tho Aclministraion to muzzlo the Press and prevent free specch. It was.'asserted that if tho Bill as it was drafted should bccomo law, it would be impossiblofor newspapers to procure or publish legitimate information, or criticiso any neglecl or incompetence on the part of even a subordinate official, expose inefficiency, or discuss.political matters during tho progress of the war. The President maintained that this was an absurd construction sought to bo placed upon tho proposed law, and that there was no intention to interfere with* the proper functions of tho Press, and urged upon Congress to return the Censorship provisions,; but. the opposition of the Press was too powerful, and the Press is acting under what is known as voluntary censorship, every editor being his own judge of what may bo properly published. So far, the correspondent' states, the arrangement has worked and no newspaper is publishing military or other information • that would bo of advantage to the enemy.