PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 198, 10 May 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Conditions are repotted to-day in tlio Western theatre which suggest that the Germans are about to vigorously resume their offensive both in Flanders and in the region of the Borame, but the only enemy attack reported at time of writing took

shape in the first-mentioned area, at a point south-west of Ypres, and about midway between that placo and the Franco-Belgian border. As information stands, only one German division was engaged, but the affair is distinctly suggestive of developments to follow. Dickebusch Lake is a sheet of water one mile long and at its broadest less than half a mile wide, situated a littlo over two miles south-west of Ypres. Mention is made of a ridge to the south of the lake, but tho highest ground in this locality is of no great elevation. Tho nearest considerable elevations aro Mont Kemmel (held by tho enemy), two miles south of tho lake, and Scherpenberg, which is held by the Allies, an equal distance to the south-west. In their attack the Germans penetrated British forward positions south of Dickebusch Lake. It is not suggested that the position as yet has undergone any serious change, but the enemy thrust commands attention both a tentative move towards outranking Scherpenberg, that is to say, tho northern end of tho ridge which buttresses tho Allied lino in Southern Flanders, and as a threat to Ypres and tho Ypres salient. Developing an attack aiming at these results tho enemy would derive material advantago from his possession' of Mont Kemmel, which dominates Scherpen-

berg as well as the low country to I tho north in the nearer vicinity of Dickebusch Lake. It has been suggested that tho more or less waterlogged state of tho low country about Ypres and to the south-west opposes formidable difficulties to an enemy advance, even where ho has tho advantage of attacking from dominating positions. The suggestion is supported by the fact that his last big attack in Flanders was made, not in tho low country, but against the ridges hold by tho Allies towards tho southern border. Novortheless tho development reported to-day holds serious possibilities. It cannot bo ignored that tho British positions around Ypres constitute an exposed salient, and that a, formidable attack on tho southern flank of this salient would Incidentally endanger the stability of tho Allied lino where it is established on better ground to tho south.

A report from Sib Douglas Haiq just received indicates that tho measure of success gained by the enemy in Flanders was very slight, and that whero ho did penetrate the Allied front line fighting is still in progress. At.the southern end of the front on which tho Germans attacked tho French have advanced their line in a successful local operation. It is not yet clear whether the Germans contemplate a serious attempt to push forward in the low and open country between Ypres and Scherpenberg.

••» . • Further testimony is borne to Anglo-Indian enterprise in Mesopotamia and to the increasing demoralisation of the Turks in tho news that tho British forces, advancing in the area between the Tigris and tho Persian border arc now within eighty miles of Mosul. Even now it would perhaps be somewhat prematura to regard tho latter place as an attainable objective. The fact 'that the Turks-abandoned 600 men in hospital at Kirkuk is fairly plain evidence of a hurried and disorganised retreat; but there is news -also of heavy fains which may seriously impede the British advance. This apart, tho Turks are bound to make every possible effort in defence of a base as important as Mosul. Commandingly placed in relation to tho Persian frontier, and the point at which a road from the railhead of the Bagdad railway reaches tho Tigris, Mosul has been described as the greatest Turkish base in the East. It would be a great prize, but tho difficulties of reaching and holding it are not to bo lightly estimated.

The so-called conditions <if peace imposed in Rumania by the Teutonic allies will stand in history for all time as an example of infamous plunder and oppression. Tho sum and substance of what is called by courtesy a. treaty is that Rumania

is not only despoiled of territory but is lo be squeezed to the limits of extortion, and lost, she should be restive under this treatment is to pay for the privilege of being dominated by an Austro-Gcrman army of occupation. Germany is pursuing in the Ukraine much'the same policy as, with her allies, she is practising in lUimania. For the time being there is no remedy, but when the course of the war has finally turned m the West Germany may find to her cost that human beings are not lightly to he treated and exploited as slaves.