PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3155, 6 August 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

To-day's reports from Russia point to a somewhat striking contrast in the trend of events north of the Dniester and south of that great river. On the south, the Russians have lost Czcrnowifcz, with the result that tho remaining area of Rumania is now imminently threatened with invasion. North -of tho Dniester, on tlio other hand, the Russians have rallied and driven the enemy back across the Zbrucz, a river following the eastern frontier of Galicia, which he recently crossed to an invasion of Russian territory. The success won in this quarter docs not balance- the disaster suffered further south; but it lends some colour to recent reports that the moral tone of tho Russian armies is improving, and that before long they will again lie presenting a-united front to the enemy. TUK news that' Cernowitz has fallen to tho enemy is bad in any case. It would be worse if it were not modified to some extent by the Russian success north of the Dniester and by suggestions from different quarters that the resistance- of the Revolutionary armies is rapidly stiffening. The immediate position is that the enemy ha-s outflanked at its northern end the mountain bar-

ricr on which liusso-Rumanian armies arc arrayed along tho western frontier of Moldavia. Different reports show that the enemy is advancing along the river valleys which lead from Bukowina into North-western Rumania. Unless he is defeated or checked in country which opposes no very serious natural obstacle to progress, he will drive across Northern Rumania, incidentally getting astride the railways on which the E-usso-Rumanians further south arc dependent and compelling them to retreat from areas in which they have hitherto been cither firmly established on defensive lines, or victoriously attacking. Tho wholo Rumanian front, along the western frontier of Moldavia and across the southern area of the province to tho Danube, is threatened by the enemy's penetration of Rumanian territory on tho north. It is truo also that in his present advance the enemy has taken some early steps in a movement against Odessa, but while an invasion of the rich grain-growing provinces of Southern Russia no* doubt has its attractions, it is far from certain that tho enemy will attempt such an enterprise in his existing circumstances. He would certainly do a great deal to increase his stores of food, but whether he oan find the force needed to press the invasion is another and a somewhat open question.

The latest report relating to General Brusiloff's retirement is that he is believed to have been dismissed on account of his failure to take immediate and adequate measures in dealing with recent events—that is to say, tho events arising from mutiny and treachery amongst tho troops. Set beside reports that General Kornilofe is dealing rigorously with mutineers and deserters, this is somewhat striking and carries a suggestion that - Bkusiloff failod to nso to a great emergency.' As yet, however, there is no more than a suggestion to this effect, and vory definite evidence would bo needed to establish a charge that tho hero .of last year's offensive and a commander who has played a distinguished part from the first days of tho war had been found so gravely wanting.

The political situation in Russia shows no immediate signs of clearing. It is reported to-day, amongst other things, that M. Kerenskylms resigned the office of Prime Minister, but that his resignation has not been accepted. At tho moment, how.evcr, no hint is given of the grounds upon which the resignation was based, nor is it stated to whom it was tendered. Tho latter point is of somo interest, and not a little uncertainty as matters stand in Russia. Tho original Provisional Government was tho ExecutiveCommittee.of tho Progressive bloc in the Duma. In'Miay, about half tho portfolios were allotted to nominees of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Council, and recently tho wholo Government was abandoned to the Socialists. No one . body, however, has a clear title to make and unmake and M. Kekensky's resignation, if it is insisted upon, may load to conflict between tho revolutionary • councils and such bodies as tho , Union of Zemstvos. On the other hand there is a certain amount of promise in the announcement that the, Government is about to publish a decree ordering severe for every form of usurpation of its legal powers..

Late messages indicate that affairs are rapidly approaching a crisis. Tho report that M. Kbhensky has resigned is confirmed. It now transpires that his resignation was tendered to his own colleagues. Tho fact that they havo refused to _ accept it does little to reliovo the situation. Mr. Lloyd George broadly hints, in a speech, that a section in Russia—presumably tho Socialists— may attempt to conclude peace with the enemy. Such an-attempt is likely to be resisted by a largo part of the nation, but even so it would, of course, create a very grave situation. . . '

News from Glanders is that in spite of extremely bad weather the British have again captured tho village of St. Julien, north-east of Yprcs, and thai' the Allied gains havo'been somewhat extended both on north and south of this keenly contested section of the new front. The enemy has failed to accomplish anything by his counter-attacks, and' the Allies remain firmly established in the new positions won in Tuesday's battle.

* * . * . * - . One of the most fiendish crimes of which tho Germans have been guilty since they opened their submarine campaign is reported today. Tho Huns have often shelled an escaping cre.v and passengers in boats, but in the case of tho Belgian Prince they sot themselves to accomplish cold-blooded murder with a thorough-paced and calculating barbarism which almost passes belief. After the Belgian Prince had been torpedoed her boats were destroyed. Her crew were taken on to the deck of tho submarine, which soon afterwards submerged, leaving them to drown. Evidently the Germans hoped that no one would live to tell the tale, but as it happened there were three survivors.