PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 174, 12 April 1918, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The position reached in the area of the. new battle in France is pretty clearly indicated in the news. The Germans have advanced on a front of some nine , miles, between La , ' Bassee and Avmentiercs. to a maximum depth of about three miles. The advance, however, has been mostly' made over marshv country, on which it. will be difficult either to construct defences or move artillery, and (as information stands the enemy is still' held up at the crossings .of the Lys (on the Francorßelgian border), which . he would have to master before he. could develop a dangerous attack on the southern flank' of the Allied front. in Flanders. For the time being the Germans are operating on a somewhat cramped front. They are firmly held at Giyenchy, a tactically important position , on the La- Bassee Canal which was gallantly recovered by the Fifty-fifth Division after being twice lost, and also at Fleurbaix, nine miles, away to the- north. They have contrived, however, to break into Ploegsteert 'Wood, north of Armentieres, and_ it is suggested to-day that the British may find it necessary to evacuate the- latter town, which is enclosed in a somewhat acute salient. This would enable the enemy to widen and somewhat improve his attacking front, hut would leave the defenders still in full possession of their vital positions. That the enemy has made no better progress in an aUack developed on such >a scalo and with an utter disregard of sacrifice bears plain witness to the valour and tenacity of the British and Portuguese troops who met his onset.

One correspondent speaks rather vaguely of German detachments 'reaching the villages of Mcssincs and Wytschacte, that is to say, tho crest of the Messines llidgc, but at time of writing thero is nothing' to show that the enemy has gained any success in this quarter. As a whole available reports indicate that his attacks in the vicinity of the Messines Bidge were completely de r featcd. .•

Taken in conjunction with the record of the previous two weeks the latest return of British shipping losses throws supirestive and encouraging light upon the decline of tho enemy submarine campaign. That the e"ncmy should accompany his offensive on land by an extraordinary effort at sea was to be expected, and the expectation was verified when it was announced three weeks ago thab sixteen British ships over 1600 tons and twelve of smaller size had been sunk. This abnormal achievement has not, been maintained, though the incentive to throw all possible energy into the campaigh against mcrchant_ shipping and transports is manifestly as great as ever. In tho following week British losses dropped to six ■ships over and seven under 1600 tons, and the current returni shows a further decline to four ships over and two under 1600 tons—almost the worst week the submarines have had since tho unrestricted campaign opened. To expect losses to remain at this low level would bo to invite disappointment, but the figures nevertheless must be regarded as having more than passing significance. Some .at least of the factors which at another time would discount exceptionally favourable returns for a limited period must bo excluded on this occasion. It may bo taken for granted, for instance, that the Germans have sent out every available submarine to prey on shipping, and certainly they have had no lack of targets. There probably never Mas a time when as many ships were plying between the United States 'and Europe and between Great Britain and France. In' tho circumstances the figures can only be regarded 'as indicating a marked decline in tho numbers and efficiency of the underwater raiders.

The news that American Dreadnoughts as well as smaller naval craft aro operating with the Bri-

tish Grand Fleet is another indication of the whole-hearted fashion in which the United States has thrown in its lot with the Allies. The American battleships will heavily increase a margin of superiority that was already decisive, but United States mobile craft are likely to prove an even more important addition to the Allied forces. The United States is constructing dcstroyors at an unprecedented rate, and before long will have an even larger force of these vessels—tho deadliest enemies of the submarine —than Great Britain.