PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 125, 13 February 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A 'communique issued by the American Secretary for War conveys the first really definite news of the, presence of Austro-Hungar-ian troops in the Western theatre. The reinforcement of the German Western armies by Austrian divisions possibly explains the statement cabled yesterday from London that tho French and British, without tho Portuguese, retain a slight superiority in numbers. Taking it that the oncray has brought ■in so many Austrian troops as to approach the aggregate strength of the Franco-British armies (and even now this seems rather doubtful), the Allies still havo as a clear margin the Belgians and Portuguese—in the aggregate about a quarter of a million men—and tho American armies which are now expanding rapidly, and as President Wilson observes to-day, will expand more and more- rapidly as time goes on. In the most conservative view the enemy has not tho faintest prospect of approaching numerical, equality with the Allies, much less of attaining the superior numerical strength which would give him hones of developing a successful offensive, and it is fairly safe to assume that he is still more heavily outclassed in arti'lcry, aircraft, and other factors of material equipment than in numbers. It is,

of course, obvious that Uic scale of fclio enemy's preparations suggest an intention of taking the offensive, and it is recognised that he has at all times the option o.f winning a certain amount of ground in the Western theatre, at a price. But whatever the enemy may attempt it is not in the least likely that the Allies will he content to restrict themselves to defensive tactics in tho period of active campaigning about to open. The victorious Anglo-French offensive in Flanders and elsewhere last year achieved one very material object in laying the enemy open to further attack, and it cannot be supposed that the opportunities thus created will _be neglected during the months lying immediately ahead,

An even more arresting question at the moment than that of the extent to which the introduction of Austrian reinforcements may he expected to inlluencc the development of the Western campaign concerns the probable result of this action upon the internal relations of the Teutonic Alliance. In the communique already quoted Mr. Baker states that there is great dissatisfaction in Austria owing to the dispatch of Austrian troops to the West front. Tho political and military results of asking Austrians to iigbt in tho Western theatre in support of German annexationist aims may easily be serious from the enemy's point of view, and it is not unlikely that whatever dissatisfaction has already been awakened on this score may be heavily intensified by campaign events in the near future. There is no doubt that one of the principal objects of the German-assisted offensive against Italy last year was to hearten and encourage the AustroITungarian population. Assuming that the larger object was also aimed at of overwhelming Italy and bringing her to terras, tho offensive has failed. Even to hold what they have gained in Italy the Teutonic Allies must be prepared to put forth tremendous efforts in that theatre during the coining year. Convincing evidence has been afforded that the Italian armies aro splendidly restored and reinvigorated. They have tho assistance, of powerful Allied contingents, and tho immediate task before them is less formidable than that with which they grappled prior to their defeat on the Isonzo last year. It would seem that Germany must leave her ally unsupported in tho critical campaign aDont to open, or divide her resources and energies at a time when it is supremely necessary that she should concentrate undividedly on the Western front. Tho spectacle of defeat in their own theatre while their countrymen were being slaughtered in Germany's interests in tiie Western theatre would certainly not encourage tho population .of the Dual' Monarchy to patiently tear further hardships and privations.

It is in keeping with the extraordinarily mixed character of recent news from llussia that news of a peace agreement at Brest Litovsk arrives simultaneously with a statement by tho Bolshevik Minister in Sweden that the Bolsheviki are nearer war with Germany than ever since tho Revolution. At the moment, however, the weight of evidence is that some sort of agreement has been concluded, though what the outcome will bo is ijuito uncertain. Even if the Bolsheviki, as is reported, aro ordering a general demobilisation it is quite possible that anarchical conditions in llussia may go from bad to worse and that Germany may still find it necessary to maintain an appreciable force in the Eastern theatre. * * * *

An enemy report to-day of violent engagements arising at many points, particularly in tho region' of the Franco-Belgian border and in tho area immediately to tho south, as a result of English reconnoitring advances. The report owes its interest chiefly to tho fact that in recent weeks this form of activity lias been largely left to the enemy. The inauguration of active raiding by tho British troops would no doubt supply a fairly definite indication that operations oe a bigger scale are in near prospect.