PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 49, 21 November 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

As far as it is reported the debate in tho Houso of Commons upon the speech at Paris in which Mb. Lloyd Geokge stressed the necessity for a nearer approach to unity of Allied command and better co-oi'dination of effort seems to have beon largely beside the Insisting, in nis critical remarks, that nothing must be done derogatory to the authority of tho separate Allied Governments and Staffs, Mb. Asquith obviously adopted a fake Unity of action, of course, implies a measure of subordination by each partnor to tho pact, but so far as this war is concerned it is much more important that common resources should bo used against tho enemy with maximum effect than that tho sovereignty of a particular (Government or tho authority of a particular Staff should be maintained inviolato. As it happens, however, no proposal has been mooted to invado the separate authority of the various Allied Governments. Me. Lloyd Geokge skted in the debate, as ho had stated before, that the Allied Council will bo an advisory body and wjll not exercise executive functions. It follows that while plans will bo formulated involving common action <by the Allies it will bo for the Allied Governments individually to say whether these plans shall be carried out. Such an arrangement does not seem to bo at any point open to objection on the ground taken by Mb. A'squith, and as far as. it goes thore is everything, to bo said in its favour. It might be argued with some force that it does not go far enough, but tho fact that the agreement between the Allies is at all points voluntary perhaps imposes a permanent limitation where united action is concerned.

The weakness of Mr. Asquith's case appears in several detail features of his speech. For instance-, in his observation that the theory of a single front is perfectly sound, and that its corollary was ttiat an ally at one end of a lino was best helped by a maximum effort at the other end, ho manifestly trenched on a question of strategy which must be left to soldiers to determine, or at all events must bo determined with due regard to expert advice, i Applying Me. Asquith's theory to tne existing state of affairs, it is much to bo doubted whether expert opinion would support the contention implied, though not expressly stated, in his speech that Italy in her present straits would have been best helped by a maximum Anglo-French effort on the Western front Mb. Asquith was at pains to point out that Mr. Lloyd George shares responsibility for Britain's past war policy, but in the position reached this seems to bo rather a personal than a national point. Judging by the very brief report transmitted to this country, Mil. Lloyd George's speech at Paris was almost as much a confession as an indictment, and as an indictment was directed against methods and not against men. Mb. Asquith's speech as it is presented contains no effectivo criticism of Mr. Lloyd George's contention that unity of action is vital to the Allies, and that everything possiblo should be done to promote coordination. There- does not seem to be any answer to the British Prime Minister's statement: "All this talk about easterners and westerners is utter balderdash. The field is north and south and east and west. Our business is to put pressure on the enemy at every point of the compass, and hurt him where wo can. That is why we want a Central Council."

Since it shows no marked change in the situation at any point, the latest news of the Italian campaign available at time of writing is to be accounted good. The time is presumably now very near at hand when the Italians will be appreciably relieved by the action of Francn-British rcinfnrccmnfcs, and hy their own efforts they have maintained a gallant and stubborn defence. As reports stand, (he enemy's attacks on the Asiago Plateau, where he is endeavouring to break out from the Trentino to tako the Italian line in rear, have weakened, and fresh attempts to cross the Piave have been repulsed. The Austro-Gcrmans are shown, however, to bo concentrating heavily fiftainst positions adjoining the Piave at a distance of about •In miles from the coast. Breaking through and crossing the river in this locality, the enemy would at a stroke outflank that section of the Piave which serves the Italians as a

river barrier across the plains and also mountain positions west and north of the area attacked. At tin , moment of writing the fate of this critical struggle remains to be disclosed.

A certain amount of light is thrown to-day upon the position in Russia- There is a statement by Mr. Balfodk that tho extremists are in complete control at Pctrograd and Moscow, and that the proposal to establish a Coalition Government has not yet resulted in a settlement. Other reports declare that famine is imminent in Petrograd, and that General Kaledin, the Cossack leader who holds sway in Southern Eussia, is withholding supplies of food and coal, and so exercises a cortain command over the situation. Though many reports are of doubtful authority, it seems to bo reasonably established that a carnival of bloodshed has lately oceurrod in some parts of Russia, including the principal cities. Tho beat hopo in sight is that these conditions may make it possible to establish a dictatorship. A great part of tho population would presumably welcome any way of escapo from tho present frightful disorders.