PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 243, 2 July 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The Italians to-dav record a notable success on their mountain front —tho capture of Mont di Val Bella, a peak nearly five thousand feet high, lying four miles west of the j Brcnta valley at. Valstagna, It is indicated that the Austrians defended tho position with groat obstinacy and determination, and this is natural in view of the tactical importance of the conquered stronghold. Mont di Val Bella dominates peaks On cither hand, and also overlooks country, to the north an far as tho descending slopes of Mont Meletta. a mountain fortress* four miles north of Mont di Val Bella which was bitterly contested on the occasion of the enemy drive last year. It is of material importance also that Mont di Val Bella flank* and commands from the south-w.sst the Frenzela valley, which affords an avenue of approach to Mont Meletta from the Brcnta valley. The Italians have gainqd a fortified post on the lower slopes of Sasso Itosso, a mountain north of tho Frenzela valley, and if this peak in turn is conquered they will liavo largely paved tho way for an attack in front and flank on Mont Meletta. Rapid progress in the mountain offensive is not to he, expected, for there are enormous difficulties to he overcome, but thus far the Italians have made promising headway.

Apart from the aerial attacks which the Allies are developing persistently on a big .scale, few events iu the Western theatre arc reporter] to-day. Thy French have made a .successful local attack south of the Ourcq, but the opcliing of the expected enemy offensive is still awaited. The local gains the Allies have lately made, though important and calculated to hamper the enemy to some, extent, are not on such a scalo as to be likely to postpono the opening of his offensive. Tho continued delay must he attributed to elaborate German preparations, but it is nevertheless not without significance as an evidence of tho onemy's increasing difficulties. Every day now must add an appreciable force of Americans to the "Allied fighting strength, and it may bo taken for granted that tho enemy would ere now have set a period to delay had his preparations justified a renewal of the offensive.

The Hungarian Premier has apparently mado a more liberal admission of Austro-Hungarian losses in the late offonsivc than is approved in Vienna, and sundry "explanations ' are being offered. However, the best available cvidcnco of the actual Austrian losses is supplied in the weekly official review, which sets them down at about ?00,000, just twice the total admitted by Count Wekerle. No doubt the figures cited in tho review are based upon a careful examination of the best available cvidenco and make a close approach to accuracy.