PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 19, 17 October 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

To-day's reports say all that can lie said for the gallantry of the British troops, including the New Zealanders, engaged in the latest attack on the enemy's defences in Flanders, but they hold out no great hopes of a further advaricc in tho immediate future. There is a limit to what may ho asked of even the most heroic troops, and it seems plain that tho offensive cannot develop to any material extent until there has been a pronounced change for tho better in tho conditions described to-day—the attacking troops floundering through a frightful morass, unable to keep pace with the advancing barrage and meeting in places uncuC enemy wire and undamaged -concrete fortifications. The comparatively sound slate of the enemy defences must no doubt be attributed largely to weather conditions which have seriously hampered aerial observation, and at times made it impossible. Owing In the important part that aerial observation plays in the matter of

artillery preparation an improvement; in the weather may presently mako a further advance possible even though there is no great change in the condition of the ground. Accounts given by Cail- - Ross and other correspondents bear witness to the magniliccnt spirit in which tho Now Zealanders faced the appalling conditions of the recent battle. We have it from an Australian Headquarters correspondent that in spite of all they have endured —and it seems no exaggeration to rate Friday's battle as one of the most trying of the war —the Now Zealanders are still in groat fighting trim, and aro only impatient because of the appalling weather which compelled a halt befovo all their final objectives had been taken. Instances of individual heroism cited by tho New Zealand correspondent will be_ read with pride all over the Dominion.

Loud Northcliffe's prediction that Sib Douglas Haig's smashing blows will continue no matter what the weather may be and that the Germans will get no rest during the winter presumably does not apply only to Flanders. The attack in Flanders will no doubt be. developed as opportunity serves, but the policy of imposing a maximum strain on tho enemy during the winter is likely to involve battles on other parts of tho front as well. The operations in Flanders are in no sense isolated, but havo a definito plaoe in the great schemo of attack which has been developed with splendid success from Verdun to tho sea. The offensive menaces tho enemy front as a whole, and the Allies are in a position, without in the slightest degree turning aside from their main purpose, to attack at any one of a number of vital points as time goes on. If this were not tho case prospects of achieving advantago in actively continuing tho offensive during tho winter would be very much poorer than they are in fact. Actual conditions not only afford tho Allies extended scope for effective action during tho winter, but impose definito limits on the transfer of enemy troops to other theatres. The Germans. will not forgot that they incurred heavy defeats last year on the Ancre and at Verdun practically in the dead of winter. J . * * *

A .somewhat extraordinary position has been reached in the operations at tho entrance to the Gulf of Riga. From their initial landing on tho outer coast of Oesel, tho Germans have forced their way right across that island to the coast facing into tho gulf, but they have not yet gained naval access to that waterway. Russian forces still occupy both ends of Oesel. The troops .holding tho Sworbo Peninsula, the south-western extremity of Ooscl, are isolated, unless they have a way of retreat by sea, but in the latest operations they have contrived, apparently with the assistance of naval forccs, 'to prevent enemy ships entering tho gulf by tho Irben Channel This is the principal entrance to the Gulf of Riga-a channel 20 miles wido between Oesel Island and tho Courland coast, which is held by tho Germans. How long the conditions described to-day_will last it is hard to say. The position of the Russian troops on Oesel Island is certainly precarious, but the Russian naval forces, which have a very important part to play, appear to be fighting with determination, and the enemy is not making by any means as rapid progress in his offensive as ho at first seemed likely to. A report that the enemy coo.tctnpi&U.'S a, furtiici tiltack by land and sea on the coast of Finland is at time of ( writing neither amplified nor confirmed.

It is announced to-day that Sui AVilfiud Laurier has definitely decided to retain the le-adership _of the Canadian Liberal Party (which he was lately reported to have_ resigned) and to light an election. This to some extent qualifies the rcccnt good news that n Coalition Government has been successfully formed, and indicates that FrenchCanadian opposition to conscription will have to be met as an organised force. However, the formation of the Coalition Government indicates that only a remnant ot tho Liberal Party now adheres to Sir Wmmii) Laumer. and the Coalition Government should go to the country with good prospects ot securing an unmistakable mandate to pursuo a sound and vigorous war policy.