PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 70, 15 December 1917, Page 8

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The outlook on the Italian front continues, to improve. The heavy captures claimed by the Austrians, whether or not thoy are- exaggerated, were effected in a battle which has now, entered upon another phase, and one which promises much better from the Italian point of view. ' Tho latest official report from Rome speaks of tho disastrous' defeat of enemy attacks at various parts of the front, and it is noteworthy also that the Italian Premier, SiGNOR Oklando, has committed himself to tho statement that the military- situation has greatly improved. Ho attributes the improvement to the resistance of tho Italian troops in Italy, and this seems to bo strictly in accordance with tho facts. Available information indicates that tho Italians stemmed the onemy. offensive with little assistance from their Allies, and that tho latter have only very recently taken their place in the line. It should follow that from this time forward tho Italians will be able to rapidly strengthen their concentration of men and guns on critical sections of the front where they have lately been fighting at a terrible disadvantage on .account of the enemy's superior numbers and artillery preponderance.

The later news from Russia has some, encouraging features. According to ono correspondent the key to the situation is a prevailing belief that an anti-Bolshevik insurrection is imminent at. Petvogvatl, and news generally goes to show that tho power of Lenin and hia faction is waning. Tho downfall of the Bolshoviki- would leave Eusfiia still faced by terrible problems, but it- would removq tho influence whiclvhas dono 'most to.:hui'.ry. her along the road.U\ruin an.d. dishon.our. The. character of the' Bol\ shevik usurpation is strikingly.: brought out in the circumstances attending the abortive- convocation of the Constituent Assembly. Mem- ' bers of the earlier Provisional Gov-. crnments—men denounced by Lenin and his gang as enemies.of.the pro-, letariafc—inaugurated measures to conrvenea genuine Constituent Assembly, fairly representing all sections of the Eussian people. Tho Bolsheviki have so ordered matters that only about 50 delegates, instead of 760, put in an appearance on the day set down for the opening of the Assembly, and this skeleton gathering the anarchists are overawing by a show of armed force. It is evident that they fear nothing more than a ■ true expression or tho popular will. Extraordinary as' it seems, a story retailed to-d"ay that the, Bolsheviki favour a constitutional monarchy an'd that Lenin and other members of the faction are in friendly touch , with one of. the Grand Dukes is possibly true. If tho story has any foundation the explanation presumably is that the Bolsheviki are acting in' this 'matter as in others at Germany's dictation, and in furtherance of her intrigue for a- separate peace. Unless, however, the news transmitted to-day is hopelessly misleading, the Bolsheviki are. ncaring the end of their tether, and Lenin and Trotsky arc threatened with such- a fate as they have inflicted on better men.

With matters in. this shape in tho capital, KonsiLOi'F _ and Kaledinare apparently making some headway in their military operations in Southern Russia. The possibility is in sight that the Bolsheviki may be overthrown and give place to a worthier and more stable Government. What the sequel would be it is impossible to say, but if the moderates gain the upper hand they will no doubt make every effort to restore Russia to her place in tho Allied ranks, and even the partial revival of Russia as a military, factor would heavily intensify the enemy s problems. Whether or not develop: ment on these lines is in prospect tho Bolsheviki appear to be tottering to their fall.

A statement by the First Lord of the Admiralty on the submarine campaign is to be read in light of the confident prediction he made not long ago that the submarines would ultimately be- defeated. Tho enemy is still building submarines faster than they are being destroyed, but anti-submarine measures aro still developing and are> proving steadily more efficacious. It follows that the margin in the enemy's favour is being steadily reduced, and unless he is able to reverse the present trend, will sooner or later disappear. An anonymous authority is quoted to-day as stating that the systematic destruction of submarines has reached such a stage that it nearly counterbalances German submarine construction.' There is nothing in the account of the situation given by the First Lord to suggest that this is untrue. Another fact mentioned by Sir Eric

Gepdes is that the Germans are still sinking ships faster than "wo" aro replacing them. Presumably this relates to British construction and not to that of tho Allies in general, though it is not established that oven the aggregate Allied con-, stnictioii has yet been carried 1.0 such a point as to compensate for losses.'' '