PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 127, 15 February 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

An idea of the splendid fashion in which Britain is organising her resources as the war continues is given in a statement by Mr. Bonar Law which appears to-day. More than 800,000 men were added to the Army last year, and yet the area under cultivation was so increased that even in a year of bad harvest 850,000 tons of cereals and 3,000,000 tons of potatoes were added to the. nation's food supplies. The wheat stocks of the United Kingdom in December cxcccdcd those held in the preceding December tyy two million quarters. During the present season an additional area of 1,200,000 acres has already been ploughed, and it is likely that the area under cultivation will be further largely increased, for it was announced some time ago that the number of farm tractors available would be rapidly multiplied during the spring months. These are facts which serve to emphasise that it is in strength and not in weakness that Britain is practising increasingly rigorous economy in the consumption of foodstuffs and in other ways.

The war has witnessed no brighter example- of national heroism _ and constancy than tnah of Rumania in refusing to make terms with the Central Empires, though _sho is plnccd for the time being in circumstances which are as nearly at} possible hopeless. A few days ago tho enemy presented an ultimatum demanding her early submission. Tt is announced to-day that she has ignored this demand, and decided to survive or perish with her Allies. It is unhappily beyond the power of the Allies to render her immediate aid, but her gallant stand should consolidate their determination to enforce ultimate restitution of all that she has lost, and satisfaction of her just claims. Tho constancy of Rumania is the more remarkable in view of her immediate contact with Russia and of the fact that her participation in the war postponed the satisfaction of an imperative popular demand for agrarian reforms. On this ground and others Rumania might have been deemed incapable of meeting such disasters as she has suffered unbroken in spirit, but her people are to-day giving admirable proof that they are worthy representatives of the Latin stock. It*is possible that the bold and defiant attitude of this little nation may avert the last and worst misfortunes by which it is threatened. A late report declares that MjiCKKNSiiN is negotiating_ with the Rumanian Government with a view to tho continuation of the armistice on the front. Another message, howevof, asserts that the enemy Powers have repeated tlicir ultimatum and requested an immediate reply.

* * * * Accounts are given to-day of great jubilation in Germany over the Ukraine peace. It seems distinctly probable, however, that tho conditions alleged—renewed war fever and extravagant demands for indemnities— reflect rather the lines on which the German Government is attempting to turn tho occasion to account than spontaneous expressions of popular feeling. As American commentators point out, it is by no means certain that Germany will obtain any large volume of supplies from the Ukraine or that the present limited demand upon her military resources in the Eastern theatre will bo much further reduced.

* * * # Though the Supreme War Council is at present a theme of political controversy in Great Britain, there does not seem to be any doubt that it has already done a great deal to justify the hopes based upon its establishment. Speaking in tho House of Commons on December 20, Mr. Lloyd George referred to the creation of tho Council as an event that would live in history according to the uso that was made of it. "For the first time," he added, "we are setting up the machinery of a League of Nations—a complete-ma-chine for dealing not merely with military and naval matters, but also with financial, economic, shipping, and other things essential to the life of a nation. This will have a greater effect on international relations than anyone can imagine at this particular moment. I am glad to say that so far it has been a conspicuous success. Not merely has it been free from friction; it has helped to rcmovo friction. Tho General Staffs of the various Powers have found in it the means of discussion and of helping to come to a decision. They aro constantly resorting to it, and I havo no doubt at all that that great machine will havo a very potent influence in unifying not merely the war direction, but the economic direction of the four countries which are represented on the Council. The British have chosen as their military representative one of the most brilliant minds, not only in the British Army, but in any European Army—Sir Henry Wilson."