PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3180, 3 September 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The success won by the French' in a local attack north-west of Hurtebiso Farm is important Wauso it strengthens their hold upon the eastern end of tho Chemin dss Dames main of tho Aisno Heights—where it descends in terraoes overlooking a wide extent of open country to the north and east. Along_ a great part of its length tho Chemin des Dames "Ridge is laced by another range oi hieh ground on tho opposite side ot the Ailette Valley, but the descendin" terraces at its eastern end, on ono of which Craonne stands, have an open and commanding outlook, and will be an asset of tho utmost valuo to the Frcnch when the timo comes to resume tho offensivo on a biTscale. Hurtebiso Farm stands about three'miles west of Craonno. Tjiko the California Plateau,_ a northward extension of the Aisnc ■Heights immediately west of OraI onne, it was a centro of desperate fiehting in the course of the costly but unsuccessful efforts made by the Germans from May onwards to recover their lost advantage north 0 { the Aisnc. It is important also as marking tho point at which the Chemin des Dames Ridgo is crosscd by a road from north to south. A

success like that which tho French report to-day, won in such an area., has very definite value. It proves the enemy's inferiority in an area the enemy's inferiority at a point to gain the upper hand. * * * * No new development is reported at time of writing on the British front, and bad weather is still limiting operations. The return of prisoners ta,ken and guns captured by tho British during August runs into fairly big figures, but these represent only a fraction of tho enemy's total losses in men and material on the British front during "the last month; The conditions ruling lend not a little colour to a report from Holland that the enemy is preparing- to evacuate the coastal district of Belgium—action which would involve the abandonment of a considerable part of Belgium and of tho invaded area in Northern France—be Tore the winter. Apart from the extent to which his strength is being worn down on land, tho enemy's hold on the Belgian coast lias been weakened in recent months by effective naval bombardment and by repeated aerial attacks on Ostend and Zecbrugge, and on inland depots and junctions. On this point the naval correspondent of the Observer remarked recently that the patient work of tho "Vice-Admiral,. Dover," and his officers, had devised means for effective attack, on the German naval positions which, even last autumn, was considered impossible. Alluding to the Buccess of the British tactics in using aeroplane attack as a means of forcing enemy torpedo craft at Ostend and Zeebruggo to put to sea, where they could be attacked by their own kind, tho correspondent observed that tho presence of a strong force of abovewater craft at these ports was essential to the prosecution of submarine work in the Channel. "All the German attempts were easily defeated," he added, "before they accumulated torpedo-boats there. It seems, therefore, not unlikely that they may attempt to use bigger units of their fleet in order to prevent the neutralisation of these ports which further successful operations on our part may bring about." Today's news suggests that necessity may instead compel the Germans to abandon their vantage points on tho Belgian coast.

The eager discussion in Paris and elsewhere of the possibilities of the Italian offensive seems to bo running somewhat ahead of the facts supplied in official reports. It is quite possibly truo that tho Austrian armies cast of the Isonzo are imminently threat-. ened with disaster, but the fact must bo noted that the latest Italian communique in hand at the moment of writing indicates that tho attacking armies are still encountering a stubborn resistance, and that the offensive is being developed by the deliberate methods which these conditions make necessary. Tho Italians state that they are fighting both on tho Bainsizza Plateau, north of Gorizia, and on the Oarso to consolidate their possession of heights and rectify their line. They report progress in two areas, on the northern slopes of Monte San Gabrielle, the strong bastion north-cast of Gorizia which covers the northern flank of tho Carso defences, and in the Brestovizza Valley, on the southern part of tho Carso. An advance in tho Brestovizza Valley means an extension of the turning movement on the north against tho Hermada Plateau, the stronghold which covers tho coast route to Trieste. The outlook is certainly promising, but it is not Necessarily as promising as some of the . comments cabled to-day suggest. A temporary slackening in the Italian effort is, • of course, very natural, aftor the splendid progress made in recent days, even if it is intended to develop the offensive in tho near futuro well beyond its present stage. The rapid progress they have made gives the Italians a great _ deal to do in the way of constructing and repairing communications, and_ bringing up guns and supplies. Evidently the belief prevails in the European capitals that the present lull is the prelude'to another powerful thrust. .The Italians are certainly in such a position that an extension of their victory would promise big results, but whether the extension.is to.be attempted in tho immediate futuro or later is at the moment an open question so far as definite is concerned. Austria's internal troubles and disorders, which are said in the news to-day to be developing on a serious scale, count as a material factor tending to improve Italian prospects. The situation, as it appears, is that the enemy's defensive organisation has been so invaded that it doubtful if Austria, particularly if sho is denied assistance by Germany, can stave off disaster.. According to one report Germany is sending an army corps to Austria, but tho report is doubtful. Britain will certainly not transfer her greatest effort _ to tho Italian front, as one Italian newspaper is said to have suggested she should do, but both tho British and French Armies are co-operating most effectively with their Italian Allies in pinning down German masses in France and Flanders, which, if they were free, _ would transform the state of affairs east of tho Isonzo.

The news from Russia to-day is better than it has been. No further untoward development is reported on the Rumanian front,' where a Russian division lately retired in face of the enemy, and it is of good promise that M. Savinkoee, who lately retired from the post of Assistant War Minister, has resumed it, and intends to institute a much-needed programme of reorganisation behind the lines. The return of M. Savinkoff suggests that General Kobniloff and M. Iverensky have reached an agreement regarding necessary measures of reorganisation and reform.

A hint of political trouble in Prance is conveyed in the bare announcejnent that M. Malvy, the Radical Socialist who took oihee with M. Ribot as Minister of the Interior, has resigned. The news may point to a widening breach between the Government and a section of the Socialists, but it docs not necessarily follow that the Government will bo seriously weakened. M. Ribot has throughout been denied the Bupport of a fairly numerous Socialist group.