PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 24, 23 October 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A report that twenty llussian ships were trapped in Mohn Sound, the northern exit from tho Gulf of Itiga, turns out to have been alarm : ist iu character. It is now officially stated that the ships were withdrawn to a now baso in the Gulf of Finland, in spite of tho enemy's opposition. At' timo of writing there is no nows of an enemy landing the mainland of Esthonia, but this achievement is no doubt well within the enemy's power if ho chooses to attempt it. If the apparently skilful withdrawal of the Russian squadron from Mohn 'Sound could be taken as indicating the present temper of tho .Russian sea and land forces, the outlook would bo decidedly brightened. There arc still very serious obstacles opposing an enemy advance on Pctrogracl, and tho Germans will hardly surmount tlfem if the Russians do themselves justice.

Some time ago it was reported that tko Germans bad diverted to aeroplane construction the labour formerly employed in turning out Zeppelins. This report is discredited by one of the messages dealing with tho latest raid mo.do by tho big airships on Franco and England, for it states that tho Zeppelins brought down seom to be of a new type and b'iggor than usual. If the Gormans have been concentrating to dato on the construction of Zeppelins they are materially worse off than they might havo been in tlic matter of aeroplane strength, and it is, of course, quite obvious that aeroplanes would have been a better investment. The experience that befell tho airships in France seems to be the last thing needed to demonstrate the failure of the Zeppelin as an offensive weapon. No explanation is offered of tho reported failure of the English defences. a The facts alleged aro extraordinary, but rest as yet 011 no very certain authority.

One of tho questions soon to ho determined in the Western theatro is whether the enemy is to retain Lens during the winter. Tho British dominate tho place from high ground ou three sides, but, apart from their reluctance to destroy a French city by bombardment, Lens is very powerfully defended. An English correspondent stated recently that its subterranean galleries, GO or 70 feet below tho roofless houses, could accommodate many regiments. "Mine chambers and old workings (he added) have been joined with concrete cellars above. The description of Lens as a town of coucretc is fully justified. There are layers of this protective covering 15 feet deep over tho remains of some of its largest surface buildings. The streets are barrioaded and the public squares are commanded by low redoubts possessing machine-gun emplacements only a few inchcs above the level of -the ground." An interesting note on the Lens coalfield was published-recently in the Morning I'osl.. "Tho valuable products of this district," it stated, "are not now of much use to the Germans, for our guns almost entirely dominate the fifteen various 'sieges' or agglomerations which constitute the mines of Lens. These are at Lens itself, at Licvin, Avion, Haisncs, Winglos, Vcndrin, Loos, and Hulluch. According lo figures supplied by M. Elik Hbumaux, Directeur-General des Minos de Lens, their annual production is about five million tons. In IflKi, the last complete year of their exploitation by the French, the output of tho mines was I!,807,11)7 tons of coal, 601,201 tons oi' colic, and 125,1:;:! tons of kindred agglomerates. Since October 'J, 19M, this valuable minefield has been on the line i>f lire, a condition which must have caused considerable damage l.n it, apart from any wilful destruction by the Htitis. With all possible dama-go in mind, the Frcnch

I authorities luve naturally taken all necessary measures for restarting the mines without delay as soon as I they are liberated from the hands 'of the invaders. The vast amount of material lo effect the work of restoration has been ordered, and, indeed, part of it is already in course of construction. it would, however, ho difficult, says iVI. .Huumaux, to give a definite idea of the time when tho working of the mines will again yield their normal quantities of coal, etc. Several years must elapse bel'oro that consummation can be expected. Even if tho dama"e caused by inundation and the destruction ot machinery were, less than anticipated, it can scarcely bo hoped Lo have coals from Lens before tho end of next winter."