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PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A statement by Sin Eric Geddes that submarines are now being sunk as last as Germany can .build new ones, and that he can foresee no change except for the better marks a red-letter dnv in the war. It is no doubt safe to conclude that the statement errs, if at all, on the side of moderation, for the First Lord of the Admiralty is as little given as any man to raising false hopes. A long and stern struggle has been needed to carry the. British and Allied navies to the present point of achievement, but it is now established, not only that the destruction of submarines has overtaken construction, but that the rate at which the underwater craft aro being destroyed is rapidly increasing. In the statement under notice the First Lord gives the clearest possible indication of the present trend in his denial that the Germans are withdrawing submarines for concentration against American transports, and affirmation that the steady decline in tonnage Josses is due to the improvement in antisubmarine measures. Tonnage losses, though declining, still excced new construction in a given period, but as matters aro going it should not be long before this factor also turns dccidedly against the enemy.

A Washington message declares that the British forces in Palestine have renewed the offensive and are advancing from tho line reached in tho last advance north of Jerusalem. As yet this lacks any other confirmation than is afforded in a British official message which records a slight forward movement north of Jerusalem, but it is likely enough that the offensive may be vigorously resumed during the remaining period of cold weather and before summer puts a stop to active campaigning. A sufficient reason for the present lull appears in the necessity of improving communications and facilities for transport. In ousting tho Turks from Gaza tho British had tho advantage of a railway and good road close behind their front in the coastal zone,, but the subsequent rapid development of the offensive of course made it necessary to rely upon much less satisfactory means of transport. The period sinco Jerusalem was occupied has undoubtedly been devoted to the extension and improvement of roads and railways, including the. Turkish railways which aro now behind the British front, and when sufficient progress has been made in these activities a further advance will presumably be undertaken.

While perfecting its preparations for a further advance, General Allenby's army is well posted for defence if the enemy should attempt a countcrstrokc. Thi front across Palestine runs mostly through hill and mountain country. The British western flank, on the narrow plain north of Jaffa, is strengthened by tho co-operation of naval forces. The eastern flank is covered by the mountain wall and deep rift of tho Jordan Valley. All these advantages would bo retained by the British invading amy, however, if it extended its advancc between fifty and sixty miles north of the line now occupied, reaching, on the .coast, the Bay of Acre. This bay contains tho best harbour in Syria, and it seems quite likely that an attempt may be 'made to reach it before tho present winter has come to an end.

Since all that is being done by the British with a view to a further advance equally strengthens their position from tie defensive standpoint, it would appear that the enemy is either wasting precious time or has abandoned the idea of a counter-offensive. Nothing has been heard of Gorman assistant being sent to Turkey, and it is plain that unless they receive powerful assistance the Turks are doomed to suffer further defeats. Writing in November last a correspondent of the Manchester Guardian supplied some interesting information regarding the condition of the enemy forces in Syria and Palestine. Matters wero so bad, the correspondent declared, that Djemae Pasha, the Turkish Commander-in-Chief, intended to fall back on Judea, if tho British succeeded in piercing the Gaza lines, and was only induced by German intervention to resist tho advance on Jerusalem. Tho native soldiers, it was added, seemed to be tiring of tho iron Prussian discipline. Many of tho Arabs had been deserting from the front and returning to their villages, and of those who were retaken every tenth man was hung. "Djemai, Pasha himself," the correspondent further observed, "has declared on various, occasions that all tho troubles have been caused by Germany. _ Tho annoyance which these public declarations have caused in high quarters seems to give him real pleasure." It seems to be fairly clear that the Germans will take a formidable task in hand if they attempt to succour Turkey and stem tho further progress of the British invasion.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19180205.2.15

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
785

PROGRESS OF THE WAR Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 4

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