PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 186, 26 April 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

To-day's news shows that the enomy has resumed tho offensivo on the West front, apparently in strong force, and certainly after elaborate preparations. As reports stand, however,' tho enemy Ecems t<) havo practically nothing but the village of Villers Brctonneux to set against a wholesale slaughter of his storm troops. His attacks were developed both north and south of the Somnic and also in tho Lys salient. In the latter area the Germans directed a formidable attack against the southwestern slopes of Mont Ivemmel (an elevation west of the Messincs Kidge), which is now defended by the French./ In this area tho enemy gained at first a limited success, but it was temporary, for they were speedily driven out and the line restored. * # ♦ * Villers Beetonneux—as information stands the oncmy's solitary gain—is a village standing about two and a half miles south of the Somme, and at a distance of ten miles from Araicns. On his front a little further north tho enemy js only seven miles -away from Amiens, and taking account also of tho trend of the lino to tho south it is evident that Villers Brctonnoux must have constituted a somewhat acute salient in tho Allied line. Apparently, however, the Allies arc not content to lose tho village, for Sir Douglas Haiq states in his latest -available report that severe fighting is in progress at this point, it is noteworthy that three German tanks were sighted in the vicinity of Villers Bretonneux. This Is tho first occasion on which enemy tanks have been definitely reported in action since the offousivo opened. t'outinued heavy fighting is, of eourw., to be expected, but it seems to be cjnite clearly established that in tho initial stages of his latest effort the enemy has incurred extremely heavy losses without making any appreciable impression on the Allied defences.

Supplementary accounts * of the naval attack on Zeobruggo and Ostend show that it was even more successful than at first appeared. In particular short-range aerial observation has established the fact that tho greater jia.rt of the fairway a.I, Ostend has been blocked. Most of the damage done at Zcelmigge had been already reported, but it is mentioned to-day that, apart from tho blocking of the Bruges Canal, a clear gap of twenty yards has been broken in the viaduct which connects the molo with the shore, and it is unofficially stated that trie lockgates in tho canal were blown up.

The enemy report of tho affair is obviously a tissue of falsehoods.

A itKPOKT which appeared yesterday showed thu.t the Arabs cast oi Jordan are actively and successfully co-operating with G_eneji.aj, Al,lißniiv's forces, 'llic possibilities oi tho joint operations were recently the subject of an interesting note in the London Times, which is still to the point though some- of the- developments it foreshadowed havo since taken shape. "Gbnebaii Air lenov," it observed, "could not advance to the north before safeguarding his right Hank. This he has now done, and he is free to choose the line of his advance by whatever route seoms best. These routes _ aro three—tho coastal road, tho direct' Jerusalem road in the centre, and the valley road to the east, which strikes northward parallel to the Jordan. Moreover, Jericho served as an advanced base for the Turks, for, though but an insignificant settlement nowadays, it was one of tho_chief focal points of tho enemy's defensive system in Palestine. .Roads and tracks radiated from it carrying supplies to different parts of tho Turkish left flank, these supplies coming from tho Hejaz railway by the road and the new concrete bridge built by the Germans over the Jordan. The Turks have a motor-boat flotilla pn the Dead Sea with its base at the' mouth at the Jordan. This flotilla, .and also tho Turkish forces remaining to tho west of the Dead Sea, who relied upon the flotilla for their support, are now endangered. Another most important result is tho threat to the rear of tho Turkish force now facing the Hejaz Arabs. This onemy force depends entirely upon the Hejaz railway, which runs due south between the desert and the Jordan Valley, and is therefore exposed to immediate attaclT when General Allenby moves eastward. The Arabs havo been working their way up tho railway, and have already been acting directly cast of tho Dead Sea. Their pressure is towards Amman, about 30 miles east of Jericho, which is the main enemy railway depot in this area. An important step has therefore been taken towards establishing touch with our Arab Allies."