PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 95, 15 January 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Splendid news is conveyed in a London message which states that never within living memory was so much wheat sown in England as during last autumn, and that ths Food Department expects that three million acres additional (as compared with last year) will be placed under corn. The British harvest of 1917 was in some respects disappointing, partly because the plans made beforehand wore not in all details carried out and partly because, the yield was cut down by unfavourablo weather. To-dav's message suggests that no effort is being spared this year to secure the bumper harvest upon which so much depends. As the British Prime Minister pointed out not long ago, tho cultivation of two million acres provides food for three million peoplo, and such an expansion in agricultural production in Great Britain as is now foreshadowed would very greatly lighten demands on shipping, and correspondingly promote a solution of tho problem of transporting American armies and supplies to Franco, and of other vital war problems. A notablo feature of the British preparations (or this year's harvest is a very great increase in tho number of farm tractors. In December last Mr. Lloyd George stated that ho hoped the two thousand tractors already in use would bo doubled by the middle of February and redoubled by tho middle of March. Hβ indicated at the same time that means would bo found of largely increasing the labour forces tien available for agriculturo, in part by facilitating the employment of prisoners of war. As a whole the movement to expand agricultural production is being organised on the grand scale. It says much for the spirit and enterprise of the nation and of its agricultural population that such an effort is possible in spite of_ tho enormous demands the war is making in other respects upon man and woman power and upon material resources.

In this country, owing to our geographical situation and local circumstances, we are- spared tho evils of food shortage, but to Britain and to the Allies in senera) the question of food supply is urgent and vital. As an English correspondent observed not long ago, no one can have any excuse for misunderstanding the facts as they present themselves to the Allies. "They are," ho adds, "simplicity itself. There will not be food in existence for tho world's needs next year unless every nation puts forth its energies and its self-control. In 6ome cases there are supplies from which wo are out off by tho lack of tonnage—sugar in tho East and wheat in Australia, for instance, neither of which can we spare ships to carry; but tho main fact is that war has stripped agriculture everywhere of labour, transport, machinery, and fertilisers to the point of lowering production dangerously near tho minimum needs of the Allied peoples and armies. Tho food question has thus transformed itself from a national matter into ono for the Allies in concert. For tho common safety they have to handle it conjointly, each increasing its production and restraining its consumption. Tho organisation for these purposes is already in an advanced state, and America, as the chiof producer, is taking a grasp of the situation upon tho broadest lines, curtailing exports to neutral countries, regulating supplies and prices, and seeing to their distribution according to each Ally's necessities. Food strategy, as Mr. Hoover (the American Food Controller) realises, has become ono of the vital factors of warfare." Particulars have been given during tho last few days of the measures Britain is taking to regulate consumption—measures which compare in importance with tho great expansion of agricultural industry which is being effected simultaneously— and a fine .example of America's loyal co-operation is afforded in the news that a Bill is to bo intvo-

tluccd in Congress to enforce compulsory wheatless unci meatless clays.

Anothkr step towards the solution of the food problem by which the Allies arc faced is indicated in the announcement that an agreement has been reached between Argentina, and representatives of the _ AngloFrenc 1, Governments regarding the purchase by the Allies of the Argentine wheat'crop. The fact that Argentina has undertaken to grant Britain and France a credit of £40,000,000 to facilitate- the purchase and keep the exchange rate normal suggests that pro-German influences in the Latin Republic are weakening. The transaction is undoubtedly one'which Germany would do everything in her power to block, and its completion carries a certain amount of significance. It is true that the Allies were, in a position to use their command of shipping as a powerful lever, but well-informed observers in touch with Argentine affairs have expressed the opinion that public opinion will ultimately force the rupture with Germany which has already been approved by both "Chambers of the Legislature.

* * # * To-day's news from Russia, is anything but good, and suggests that Bolshevik influences are extending into South Russia, which up to the present has been regarded as a possible base for a movement to restore orderly government. A carnival of murder has been enacted at Scbastopol, the victims being the officers of the Black Sea Fleet. It is a poor consolation that in this hideous butchery of brave officers the murderers invite a dire retribution in which their deluded countrymen will partake. Meantime, there is nothing to suggest that the Bolsheviki are anywhere being effectively challenged, or that they are- likely to be impeded in their, project of permitting the Constituent Assembly to meet for a few days, provided it does what it is told.

No specific check can be applied at the moment to the news the German authorities claim to have received by wireless that 1700 Germans .and 9600 trained black troops have penetrated Portuguese East Africa, out it is manifestly improbable that the news is true. Any German forces that are still afoot in East Africa arc cut off from bases of supply, and _ it is not to be supposed thatas big & force as is mentioned could support itself in these circumstances, living on the invaded territory. The fact is, of course, established that German remnants have retired into Portuguese East Africa. But if their capture presents serious difficulties, it is not so much on account of their fighting strength as because of the factors which made the- clearance of German East Africa a long and arduous process. * * * *

Further suggestions that warweariness and popular discontent in Germany have been deepened by the statement of Allied war aims appear in reports that a movement against open or secret annexation demands is being organised throughout the country, and in the declaration of Vorwaerts that although President Wilson's speech hardly inspires confidence in the German people it should serve as a basis of peace if other members of the Entente formally give- their adhesion. An anti-annexation party no doubt exists in Germany. As long ago as last September Maximilian Harden was allowed to deliver a lecture before a crowded audience in Berlin, in the course of which he unsparingly denounced the project of annexing Belgium. His words were applauded by a large- parj; of his audience. In Germany such demonstrations and protests have hitherto counted for little, but whether this state of affairs is likely to continue is at least an interesting speculation.

Not as much has been heard about General Sir Henry Wilson, who represents Britain on tho Military Committee attached to the Allied War Council, as about somo other officers who have been called upou to fill responsible positions, but he has a distinguished record. According to tho London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, fchero can bo no two jpinions about his exceptional military gifts and knowledge, and although he has even moro enemies than most of ouv great soldiers of the past, his merits are counted iu tho Army one of our serious assets in the war. "His personality," the correspondent adds, "affects people- in various ways, and excites everything except indifference. He began as an infantryman, had a brilliant career at tho Staff College, and made his reputation on several staffs in the South African War. Like General Sin William Uobertson, he has been commandant of the Staff College, Camberloy. Believing in the German menace, he concentrated his study on German strategy and on tho French frontier. Ho was on Lord French's Staff during tho first period of the war, and during the trying days of the retreat uo increased his reputation for insight and coolness. Afterwards he commanded an army corps, but did not get much opportunity for further distinction. He speaks French admirably, and recently he was a special senior liaison officer at tho French Headquarters. His relations with the French Command have been extremely doso and cordial—a circumstance of much importance in what lies bofore him."

*. * * . * No military events of importance are disclosed at the time of writing, but continued activity by British aerial squadrons is reported in the Western thi'atre, and news from Italy indicates that the Allies are now comfortably holding their own in that quarter.