PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 43, 14 November 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

To-day's news from Palestine shows that the Turks have come to a halt on the north bank of the northern branch of tbo Wadi Sukereir. Thoy are thus occupying a line which runs south-east from tho .coast and passes about twenty miles south of Jerusalem. On the coast, however, tho British aro in position almost duo west of Jorusalem. Yesterday's news spoke of enemy rearguards on the northern branch of the Wadi Sukoreir, and so indicated that tho enemy was retreating further north, but it is now stated that tho Turks arc organising on the north bank of this watercourse, and apparently thoy contemplate a dcfensivo stand. The interior country of Palestine is hilly, and lends itself to defence, but it falls away t<? a plain on the coast, and since the Allies have command of tho sea they aro well placed to outflank the Turkish line.

Thouoh matters havo not yet reached a decisive, stage in Italy, tho outlook continues to improve. Furthor enemy attacks on the Trentino front have been defeated, and it is stated that the retiring armies are now practically established on tho lino of tho River Piavc. It seems probable that tho front selected for a defensive stand extends from tho Trentino border in the re-

gion of tho Sugana Valley, through a, narrow belt of high country, and then south-cast along tho Piave to the sea, 15 miles north-east of Venice. A further retirement is not impossible, but if he passed tho Piave tho enemy would be likely to occupy Venice, Treviso, and other important Italian towns, and it ; .s unlikely that these towns will L-c abandoned if it is humanly possible to avoid the sacrifice. More evidence is afforded to-day that tho Italian armies arc offering a gallant resistance to the invaders, and thero are satisfactory assurances that Allied reinforcements are rapidly moving forward. On the latter point M. Painleve, the French Prime ■Minister, speaks in very definite terms. He declares that French and English soldiers, .guns, and munii tions are being hurried across tho Alps to assist Italy, and that the help will not fall short of the greatness of the peril. While this is an 'indication that the Allies are throwing large forces into Italy, it shows also that it will he some time before tho Franco-British reinforcements aro available in their total strength on tho battlefront. It will bo noticed that there is no mention of any but Italian troops having yet engaged the.enemy. It is largely becauso the process of reorganisation and mnforccment is inevitably slow that the situation still holds critical features.

A statement by Mr. Bonar Law shows that the Allied War Council, which has been set up to deal with the whole war area from tho Channel to the Adriatic as a single front, is not to exercise executive functions, but is to act in an advisory capacity. This was to be expected, for it is evident that tho' success of the arrangement must depend upon the voluntary submission of tho different Allied countries to a common plan. The promise of the new arrangement is in the evident willingness of Franco, Britain, and Italy to adhere to such a plan. A statement by Mr. Lloyd George transmitted to-day shows that it is hoped to include America, and even Russia, in the plan now formed, and the benefits in prospect aro indicated in tho emphasis he lays upon the evils that have_ resulted from tho absence of co-ordination in the past.