PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3196, 21 September 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

So far as ships over 1600 tons are conoerned the latest return of British ships sunk by mine and submarine shows a continued improvement. Last week losses of ships in. this class dropped from- 20 (in the ! previous week) to 12. There is now, a drop to 8. In the caso of ocoan-going snips the record indicates that tho efficiency 'of anti-Bub-marine measures is rising, no doubt in part as a result of the adoption and development of the convoy system. Eight is the smallest number of big ships sunk in any week, sinoe the Germans opened their unrestricted campaign. Last week's total of twelve ships over 1800 tonj established a record. It has .now been lowered by thirty-threo per cent. The maximum number of big ships sunk in< any one week since the unrestriotcd campaign, opened is 40, the number sent to the bot'tom in the week which ended on April 22. As regards ships under IGOO tons the figures aro much less satisfactory. To-day's return records the loss of twenty vessels in this class, but it is added that nine of them were sunk last week. Corrected totals of losses in the two weeks should, therefore, read: Over Under IGOO ;600 tons. tons. Last week 12 15 This week _8 11 . In nine weeks preoeding the period covered by the table losses of ships under 1600 tons averaged three .per week. The sudden increase may mean that the Germans discovered a, weak spot i'n the defensive organisation or that they have invented some new device in mine-laying. In any case, though tho increased, rate of loss in small ships is in itself serious is does not rob of significance the heavy reduction in the losses of ocean-going ships. Tho Germans would, of course, concentrate upon the bigger ships if freedom of choice were in their hands.

It is announced to-day that the Argentine Senate has votod. in favour of severing relations with Germany, and this very probably means that a severance of relations is assured. In commercial matters and otherwise Argentine, prior to the recent revelations of Germany a treacherous abuse of hospitality, had pursued a somewhat wavering policy, but this event has discomfited tno waverers and German sympathisers and strengthened the patriotic party. A break with Argentina "would be chiefly regretted in Germany as another step in the process which promises to exclude hor from the markets of the world, or, where she is not excluded, to place her at a serious disadvantage: One early result may be a further' addition to the shipping tonnage available to the Allies. There are 15 German ships in Argentine ports, aggregating over 75,000 tons.

' What, news there is from Russia, to-day is of good import. A report relating to the punishment of soldiers convicted of fraternising with the enemy and refusing to obey orders indicates that the Government is giving effect to its expressed determination to restore the fighting efficiency of the armies, and the peaceful settlement of tue Kaledin affair is another indication of returning order. A local success by the Rumanians is reported, but otherwise no development is disclosed on the southern front. Ono correspondent to-day mentions a report that the Germans are hastily organising an army with a view to securing the rich black soil zono of Southern Russia. In spite of their urgent need of food supplies, itseems unlikely, however, that they will find such an_ enterprise attractive in tho existing state of their fortunes in the Western theatre.