PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3160, 11 August 1917, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A state of "extreme- tension continues at the northern end of the Western front. The laconic and meagre reports of Sir Douglas Haig continue to record nothing but mutual artillerying and occasional raids, but it is obvious that the enemy in this quarter'is still in a state of extreme anxiety as to the nature and extent of the next move against him. That is a part of the wearing down strain imposed by the Allies. Having lost the initiative, he is compelled to await in a state of uncertainty for the Allies' next move. M. Painleve, the French Minister of War, who has been attending the Allied Conference at London, in ah interview to-day describes the probable nature of future developments. Britain, America, and France, ho said,- would exert continuous pressure on the enemy, delivering staggering blows at such intervals as tho High Command think fit. The High Command recently struck one of these staggering blows in_ Slanders, and to all appearances is preparing to strike again. The of tbe enemy's aerial forces is significant, and the silenco of tho British war correspondent is also suggestive of something afoot. It may be taken for granted that the recent forward move in Flanders is only tho beginning of still bigger things in this quarter. In the meantime Italy has suddenly come into prominence again. Austria has been alarmed at the preparations' of our Ally fqr_ an autumn offensive, and is anticipating an attack in powerful force. There is good reason to believe that this alarm on the part of Austria is not unfounded. Apart from the desirableness of relieving the pressure

on tho Russians on the Galici.in front, the Italians, following on their brilliant successes in the late spring, have been carefully and methodically preparing the way for another big move which will carry then) a further stage towards Trieste before winter comes round again. Though there has been nothing beyond the anxiety being shown by the Austrians to indicate that the time has now arrived for the blow to be struck; it will occasion no surprise to hear of increasing activity on the Italian front leading up to a terrific struggle.

Eegahdixu tho Russians and their future part in the war, M. Painleve tells us we must be calm and patient; that Russia's troubles will pass. The advice is sound enough, but the news from the Eastern fighting front calls for the exercise of both patience and optimism. Today's reports show a further advance by the Central Powers, but only after stubborn fighting. This is a. good, sign in its wav. The greatest achievements of the' Russian forces in this war have been associated with the stubborn fighting of their beaten armies in face of disaster and enforced retreat. The Germans have many times been robbed of that complete victory which seemed within their.grasp by tho dogged steady, fighting retreat of the Russian armies in adversity. And the Russians in the past have always retreated to come back with renewed Tho peril of the position on the Eastern front will be immediately minimised if tho troops under Genehal ICojlviloff can be induced to retire in orderly fashion, fighting as they fall back and obeying ord-' ers. There appears to have been some improvement in this direction, and if discipline can be restored tho Austro-German advance will not proceed much further. As the Russian Commander-in-Chief stated in a recent interview, Russia has tho men in sufficient numbers to check and defeat the enemy if order and discipline can-be speedily restored. * ». * ' * One of the most inspirting things associated with the'splendid part J-,he British wording man has played in connection with the war has been the blunt and unyielding attitude of the Seamen's and Firemen's Union towards, the pcaccniongers and pacifists who would play Germany's game by attending the carcfullv engineered Socialist Congress at Stockholm. Mr. Havei.ock Wilson, who has proved himself a stalwart on the question, comes into prominence again to-day with an announcement that tho Seamen's and Firemen's Union will decline to carry British delegates to the Stockholm Conference-, and it may be hoped that this will serve as ii final and convincing reason for Britain abstaining from being represented at the conference. The attitude of British Labour Unionism towards peace is well expressed in the conditions laid down ill the resolutions mentioned in today's cable messages, which demand reparation and restitution from Germany. . \