PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 161, 27 March 1918, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

To-day's reports of tbo great battle in the Western theatre disclose heavy fighting on a considerable part of the- front between Arras and tho Oiso, but it is plain that tho Allies have not yet reached the lino _on which they intend to make their stand. Bapaume, which is now in tho enemy's hands, formed portion of the ground -he evacuated last year, but on part of the front further south the enemy advance extends into the Somme battlefield of 1916. An enemy report claims that between Bapaumo and Peronne tho British have been driven back to the positions they held prior to their offensive in that year. At time of writing this is neither elaborated nor confirmed. If true, it means that the Germans have recovered most of tho ground won by the British in the Battle of tho Somme, including the famous Thiepval Itidge, which in that battle, constituted tho enemy's main defensive line, and was ca'pjiured in some of the heaviest fighting in tho war. It seems more likely at present, howevor, that what has happened iB that the enemy has thrust a wedge into tho 1916 battleground, south of Bapaume, and very possibly tho ridge is still in British hands; London comments yesterday mentioned an expectation that the ridge would not bo taken without losses which would cause even HindenBUitct disquietude, but since it runs generally east and west, and tho Germans are approaohing it in flank as well as from the liiorth, this opinion possibly calls for some reservation. The fate of Pcronno is at tho moment in doubt, but immediately south of that place tho Germans have been driven back across the Sommo (which hero runs north) between Brio and Licourt, places four miles apart. Still further south, however, the enemy is pressing forward between tho Somme and the Oiso, and claims to have reached Neslc, 17 miles, southwest of St. Quentin. The whole of the ground gained by tho enemy south of Peronne forms part of that which he evacuated prior to the Allied offensive last year,

Around Bapauinc and for a distance to the south a battle of movement is now in progress on ground which in 1916 was 1 contested yard by yard. It is obvious that the standards of that time no longer apply, and the intentions of tho Allies are meantime a matter of conjecture. It was, of course, certain that the enemy would not desist from his efforts on reaching the edge of the territory which he abandoned last year and which has now in _ turn been abandoned by the British. At that stage ho was no better off strategically than when his attack opened, though poorer by enormous losses of men which probably outweigh the British losses of both men and material. He was bound _ to make strenuous efforts to obtain a return for his outlay, and it is not clear that even now he has approached a strategic success. Certainly he has absolutely failed, thus far to achieve his essential objects of piercing and turning the British line and of driving a wedge between the British and French opposite La Fere. Tho British and the French on their right flank are retiring in perfect order with lines intact. For what he has gained the enemy has assuredly paid, with usury, lieports tear witness that it is chiefly by sheer weight of numbers that tho enemy has been enabled to continue his advance, and that the German columns moving alone the roads, at the Somme crossings, and olsewhero have presented such a target as was, never before offered to modern artillery. _ Tho British troops, now actively supported in the south by the French, aro enduring a grim ordeal and suffer ing heavy losses. But the biggest fact of all is that they are slaughtering the enemy in a fashion which is without preccisss'i even in thiß war,

Ik the news available there arc some suggestions that a stand is contemplated in defensive positions closely adjoining Bapaume, but as to the area south-west of St. Quentin the fact that French and British cavalry are- operating indicates that the Allies are fighting rearguard actions and continuing their retirement. The same fact discredits suggestions in the German reports that the Allies have been dislodged from positions in which they hoped and intended to make a lasting stand.

Absurd as it would be to suggest that the British armies in the battle zone are .to-day merol.v carrying out a planned retreat, evidence is not wanting that some such conditions as have now arisen were foreseen by those upon whom it falls to meet the enemy onset. In the House of Commons a few weeks ago, for example, Lieutenant-General Hunter AVeston, who had taken brief leave from the front to speak on the Man-Power Bill as member for North Ayrshire, sounded a note at once of warning and of optimism. • A review of the general military j situation, he said, gave cause j for despondency. "Our position," he added, "is good, and when the Americans appear in full strength it will be overwhelming. Until then wo must expect,very hard fighting if the enemy choose to attack. ATo hopo they will attack, for I? tliev do they will certainly be defeated and will suffer very heavy losses." There will be some reverses, and the nation must brace herself to meet them. "If onlv the Empire to herself be true, if the nation, which is the Army at home, cooperates loyally with the Army, which is the nation at the front, we are certain of ultimate victory and of the only peace which can endure. AVe need men, and especially younpmen," was the end of a stirring, soldier-liko speech. "If only we stick it out we are certain to win through." These words undoubtedly breathe the spirit of the men who are now stemming the Gorman onslaught. Given an equally firm spirit in the nation behind them it need not he doubted that General Hunter AVeston's confidence will he splendidly justified.