PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 219, 4 June 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Yesterday's reports showed that the Germans, having thrust forward n, salient to tho Manic at Chateau Thierry and along the north hank of the river to a distance of ten miles farther east, were concentrating their main energies upon an effort to open out this salient to the west. Succeeding and driving westward on tho north and south front, between the Oise and the Alamo, they would outflank the Allied line extending north to the coast of Flanders. According to the latest news in hand at time of writing tho enemy,is still developing his attacks on this front, and has brought heavy additional forces to hear, but, in spite of his violent efforts, has made comparatively little headway. In essentials the situation as it was outlined yesterday is little changed. The enemy has apparently not attempted to cross the Manic. He lias slightly improved his front between the Manic and Reims. The latter city, though it is enclosed on three sides, is still holding out. On the. west, where he is putting forth his major effort for the time being, the enemy has gained a little ground, but is meeting a clogged resistance, and in some cases, has failed to hold villages which had fallen, temporarily into his hands.

- A detailed exposition would be needed to exactly define the change of front on the western face of tho Gernian salient. The change may be' indicated approximately, however, by stating that the line which was described yesterday as running almost due north and south between Ohateau Thierry, on the Marne, and Soissons, now shows a not very pronounced bulge to the west—a bulge with a maximum depth of five miles on the front of more than twenty miles. The Germans have made progress chiefly in the centre. It is hero that they have advanced in places as much as five miles. They have pressed forward for a mile or two also on portions of tho front north-west, west, and southwest of Soissons. On the southern flank they are held in the near neighbourhood of that part of Chateau Thierry which stands on the north bank of the Marne, and no are still separated from the French capital by a distance of 45 miles. * * * * Reports indicate that one of the most desperate battles of tho war is being fought between the Oise and the Marne, and although on the whole tho oncmy has gained some ground, tho facts disclosed suggest that the defenders are by no means at an end of their resources. 'Whether or not he is making his supreme effort the enemy is staking heavily upon an attempt to break through in this region, and if, as reports declare, General Fooh'is still nursing his reserves for the crisis of the battle, the measure of success thus far achieved in stemming the enemy drive is of excellent promise for the future. The nature of the country in which the battle is being fought in the main favours the defenders. That the numerous woods in which it is clothed afford cover against aerial observation is rather to the advantage of the enemy, but each wood and copse serves as a strong point in the French line. At present the defending troops arc at many points holding small woods and copses fringing larger forests in rear. Should the battle swing westward to these forests the difficulties of the oißiny will probably increase, for the carefully-tended French forests are well roaded, and a.-e capable of being formidably organised for purposes of defence. * » » # The Allied success \ n Macedonia which was reported yesterdav is noteworthy not only on account of the. capture of an important hill position flanking tho Vardar Valley the principal military avenue into Serbia but because the attack was made by Greek troops. Encouraging accounts have lately been given of the progress of the Greek mobilisation and of the spirit in which the, Greeks arc facing the prospect of taking an active part in tho war. iho capture of Skradiligcn with! nearly two thousand Bulgar and German prisoners affords convincing evidence that these accounts-haw ! not been overdrawn, and that the i Greek Army is to be regarded'! henceforth as a valuable addition to the Allied strength. Fully mobilised, Greece will s n„d three hundred thousand men into the field, and pending better things, should iarHv counterbalance whatever force flu] gana is now able to maintain