PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 138, 28 February 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A report that the Turks have entered Trebizond is a reminder that so far as an advance up the Tigris is concerned prospects in tho Mesopotamian campaign havo been very seriously impaired by tho Russian collapse. As an English correspondent pointed out some time ago, anyone who has read the dispatches of the late General Maude with attention will know how much importance he attached to Russian cooperation on his right wing. "In his advances up tho Tigris," the correspontlent added, "he has _ always moved obliquely with his right well thrown forward, and for the good reason that on the right flank and over tho Persian border lay the chief danger to his communications. By the articles of armistice both Russians and Turks are to retire from Persia, but the Turks are still in occupation of the_ Hamrin Hills, and even if they retire from Persia they can go back again, and will go back much more readily than the Russians, who have lost all interest in Persia. .It is the first condition of any further advance towards Mosul that this Persian flank should be made absolutely secure, and as the Russians will no longer be there to do it the Me'sopqtamian army is in need of more reinforcements to protect this flank. These reinforcements should come from India, and the force should be preparing now. The left or Euphrates flank is also important, but up to now has been left almost entirely to the Arabs, who are naturally waiting to see how tho war goes and what our future intentions aro bofore committing themselves. If the Arabs rise the whole of the Turkish Empire between the Euphrates and Palestine and Syria collapses, and as the foundation of an Arab kingdom or kingdoms is one of tho keys of our now Eastern policy, it would bo interesting to know more than we do about what is being done to organise tho Arab revolt." * * * *

Since these observations wero penned the forebodings expressed in regard to tho Russians have been only too completely verified. Even if Bolshevik authority is weak in the Caucasus, it is to bo feared that the abandonment of Trebizond, an important baso on the Black Sea coast, is an incident in the general collapse of tho Russian campaign in Armenia and Persia. On the other hand tho extension of the British advance on the Euphrates flank has opened new prospects in that quarter, and thcEe are brightened by the development of tho Arab revolt, ovidenced in persistent and extending attacks on the line of the Hojaz railway. Of lato the Arabs have attacked tho Turks on this lino as far north as the area e?sfc of the Dead Sea, but up to the present their operations have to an extent lacked continuity. As information stands, the Turks are still established at Medina, though the Arabs have conducted successful operations in tho country a long way to tho north. The chief reason for this state of affairs, according to a recent article in tho Manchester Guardian, is that the Arabs, partly because of their ancient tribal quarrels and partly because of tho uncertainty of the military situation, have lacked unity, so that it has been impracticable hitherto to bring about Arab operations on a large scalo to time with our own opera- , tions. Lato events suggest that

these difficulties arc being overcome, and it is not impossible that Arab co-operation may luTTinately facilitate very materially the link-ing-up of British operations in Mesopotamia and Syria.

The reported results of tho Spanish elections rather suggest that in spite of the- provocation lately offered by German outrages against Spanish shipping, pro-German influences are still very strong inSpain. One message states that although Socialist and Republican candidates have been overwhelmingly defeated, it is impossible to predict the effect on foreign policy. Generally speaking, however, _ the radical elements in Spanish politics have been readiest to resent German outrages and to demand a policy consistent with national self-respect, and the German agents who arc said to have contributed materially to the victory of the Monarchist parties no doubt hope that the result of tho elections will tend to confirm Scain in a policy of peaco at any price.

Describing political conditions in Spain and the operation cf the German propaganda, a Loaded Times correspondent observed recently that the Spaniards had alwavs regarded tic war from a strictly practical point of view. . "They have never," ho added, "been interested in knowing which side was morally right and which was wrong; who began the war, or who has conducted it in the most humane fashion or with tho most scrupulous regard for international treaties. Among the upper classes the conviction is still general that tho war is being fought on both sides for purely selfish ends, and that in its lowest terms it is a struggle between England and Germany for the commercial supremacy of the world. . This being so, the patriotic Spaniard's first concern is naturally for the material interest of Spain in the. war. From which side, ho asks, will Spain receivo <ihc greater benefits? And, above all, which side is going to win 'I. Uncertainty as to tho answers has kept him strictly neutral for over three years; and ho intends to continue strictly neutral until all doubt is eet at rest. Tho Germans, with a sure instinct, have seen this, and have endeavoured with some success to instil in Spanish minds two chief beliefs, first that tho interests of Spain and Germany are ono, both now and in the future, and, secondly, that Germany is determined to win the war at all costs and by all conceivable means. . . . The German propagandist is not diverted from nis purpose by any considerations of diplomatic propriety _ or domestic politics. His instructions are to acquire tho whole country and everybody in it for Germany. He appeals not to sontiment or reason, but to Bolf-interest. .He offers handsome rewards, and he threatens dire punishments. He flatters and supporin tho Kino as far as it suits him to do so. and at tho same time works with the Carlists to un? derminc the dynasty and witb_ tho Republicans to subvert the regime. He shows'sympathy for the capitalist on the one hand, and for labour on tho other; he assists all parties in turn so long as they assist him. He props up each Government that is open to his suggestions, and intriguer against every Minister who shows signs of independence. Thus tho Germanisation- of Spain /proceeds apace, and tho nation contern--1 plates the spectacle with various emotions; the Right in awe-struck admiration of German efficiency and self-confidence; the Left in undisguised impatience of the kedlessnees of tho Allies; and tho neutral masses good-naturedly resigned to wondering and waiting to see what the future has in store."

Rather serious news is conveyed in a cablegram covering a statement made by Mr. Barnes. He appeals to shipyard workers to put their backs into their work, on the ground that the output of new tonnago from British yards is far short of what was estimated, and also because in regard to shipbuilding "America is failing us." Tho position disclosed in Britain is bad enough and calls for a drastic remedy, but the latter_ part of tho Minister's statement is even more arresting. Probably, however, he does not mean- that America in her general shipbuilding programmo is failing tho Allies, but rather that the concentration of tonnage for tho transportation of American troops and supplies and the commandeering of all available ships for this purpose is making it increasingly difficult for Britain to satisfy "her individual needs. Except in this way, America is not making; calls on Allied tonnage, but the task, of transporting her armies and war material across the Atlantic imposes heavy demands upon the shipping resources of all Allied countries which havo ships at disposal.