PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 246, 5 July 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Various possibilities surround the | news transmitted by the Ukrainian Telegraph Bureau at Kieff that, the Grand Duke Michael vitch has been proclaimed Tsar, and is marching on Moscow at the head of Czecho-Slovak and Cossack troops, and it would be at least premature to accept it meantime as true. Tho best reason for doubting the report is that it has travelled through German and Germancontrolled channels. It may bo that the Germans are simply spreading tho report with a view to finding a pretext for further spoliation and exploitation ic Russia, but it is not impossible that a counter-rcvohition has in fact been launched. Tho Grand Duke Michael is the brother of the deposed Tsar, and in his decree of abdication Nicholas named him as his successor. The Grand Duke prudently declined to consider elevation to the throne unless he received a constitutional invitation, which in the event was not forthcoming. He has on various occasions been mentioned as a liomineo of those who wish to see a, constitutional monarchy established in Russia, but always in reports of doubtful authority. Recent messages have spoken of such a movement in his favour as is now_ alleged to have taken shape. Taking a ccount'of the «tate of disintegration to which Russia has been_ reduced, and of the scope pnd facilities afforded for German intervention and intrigue, an attempt to re-establish the Romanoff dynasty would be at best a desperate venture if it were independently launched, and it might very possibly he utilised as* a cover for- purely Gorman schemes. Proposals to create a. constitutional monarchy received in general scant consideration in the early days of the Revolution, though they were favourably regarded by the members of some of tho moderate parties. .For the timo being it is purely a matter of conjecture whether the report regarding, tho Grand Duke. Michael is a canard or relates to actual events.

Not very long ago hopes were beinn expressed in the United States that at least one hundred thousand men per month would he transported to France, and that American strength in that theatre would reach the million mark by the end of the northern summer. These anticipations are wonderfully exceeded in tho announcement that moro than a million American troops have reached Franco or are on their way, and that 276,382 men wero conveyed across the Atlantic during' June. This fine achievement demonstrates very conclusively that America is heart and soul in the war, and tends not a littlo to brighten tho outlook in the Western theatre. It will be extremely interesting to hear how tho news was received in Germany, where the people have been so often and emphatically assured that the American army could never become a serious factor in tho war. It detracts nothing from America's achievement that hor Allies have done not a little towards making it possible. Tn regard to shipping, for instance, sho has worked wonders in her own swiftly improvised construction yards and in the measures she has taken to secure the use of ncu-' tral shipping, but she has also been materially assisted by some of the Allied Powers, including Japan. The part France, Britain, and Italy have played in the matter was tersely stated by Mit. Hoovkk, American Food Controller, wlwii he said some weeks ago that the Allies had "reduced their cereal consumption by thirty per cent, to provide us with ships for more soldiers," and that Great Britain and Franco were "living their appeal -for more soldiers by sacrificing their daily bread." The appeal has drawn a splendid response.

Little tbafc changes tho reigning aspect of affairs is reported in the wa\' theatres to-day. The Italians arc pursuing their career of success and gathering in prisoners, now in the coastal zone along the lower Piave as well as on tho mountain front. Successful Allied operations are reported also in the Western theatre, but the British have suffered a detail set-back in losing a position on the Ancrc which was captured at the beginning of the week.