PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 166, 3 April 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Perhaps the best and most important news transmitted to-day relates to the utilisation of the American armies. American troops are to engage forthwith in the battle, and it is particularly noteworthy that regiments which cannot yet bo grouped in purely American divisions are to be brigaded with English and French as long as may be necessary. Considering that the necessity of devoting a lengthy period to staff training and organisation is one of tho principal factors delaying the expansion of tho' American armies, this arrangement should result in a material accession of strength to the' Allies at a time when it is supremely valuable. The United States could have given no better or moro convincing proof of a loyal determination to support tho Allies in every possible way. At the same time encouraging accounts are given of the progress of American shipbuilding. The figures cabled of ships launched and completed in American yards in March show that already the United States is turning out ships at a rate as high as Britain attained in her record pre-war _ year. Meantime tho supply of 'shipping is unequal to demands, and troops are waiting for transports, but America is evidently determined that this state of affairs shall be terminated as soon as possible. As information stands, there should be now about half a million American troops in France, and of this total a considerable proportion should bo available under thc_ arrangement made with the Allies.

At the moment of writing available reports dealing with the latest phase of the battle in France leave some details in doubt. An intense struggle has continued on the front south of the Somme, and apparently it has resulted in very little change of ground. Tho statement that the Germans have captured Moreuil, a town which had already changed hands four times, rests meantime upon the authority of an unofficial report. On tho other hand, it is clearly established that the Allies have gained some ground in coun-ter-attacks. The immediate aspect of the battle commands less attention than developments now regarded as in near, prospect. It is generally agreed that the enemy "is engaged in elaborate preparations for another heavy blow which is expected to fall not south but north of the Somme. It is predicted that he will attempt to advance on Amiens by way of the Ancre Valley, that is to say, from tho north-east, and also that he will renew his attacks on Arras and the Vimy llidgc, at the northern end of the present battlefield. Tho fact that the Germans are massing their heaviest concentrations north of the Somme leaves it in little doubt that such attacks are actually in contemplation. It is now clear that yesterday's report crediting tho Germans with tho capture of Achicourt, on the southern outskirts of Arras, was erroneous. A development so vitally affecting the general situation would undoubtedly by this time, had it occurred, have taken a prominent place in the nows. * * * *

TnE enemy's preparations represent, of course, only ono side of the picture, \ancl we arc told comparatively little about the counter-pre-parations of the Allies. There are, however, some predictions of a counter-offensive, and it seems highly probable that they may be verified. The prospect that the Allies might he able to comfortably hold and take toll of the enemy—covering essential railways and junctions by a safe margin—and bide their time to strike a counter-blow has diminished, but .it has become correspondingly more likely that thc.v may launch a counter-offensive with the object of throwing the enemy drive out of gear and so lightening their task of defence. TVith General Focir in supreme commancT, it is tolerably certain that the Allied measures will not be limited to the obviously necessary.

One rather_ disquieting report declares that civilians are evacuating

Amiens and Corapicgne, the latter place an important railway junction on the Oiso which came into prominence in the early days of the war. The removal of civilians does not necessarily imply, however, that the Allies fear a German occupation of these vital centres. A more obvious reason appears in the fact that both towns are almost within rango of effective bombardment. As reports stand, the enemy is thirteen miles distant from Amiens, and at a slightly greater distance from Compiegne, but a bombardment ten miles deep has become a commonplace in this war, and both towns could easily bo shelled with longrange guns. The existing margin is, of course, liable to be narrowed at any time, even if an extended enemy advance is successfully opposed, so_ that ample reasons exist for the withdrawal of civilians now reported.

Inspired evidently by the degree of success achieved by the German offensive, Holland is now taking a bcllicose tone in regard to the Allied seizure of her shipping. A couple of weeks ago it was reported that she had acquiesced in an arrangement which, of course, guarantees her full recompense and compensation, but she now complains of an intolerable injustice. It is doubtful, however, whether Holland will venture to go to extremes in this matter, and if she did it is not certain that' the result would be wholly to the disadvantage of the Allies.