PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 258, 19 July 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Though the Germans are persisting in heavy attacks along a consi cierable part of the front from the Marne to the Champagne, the latest reports in hand at time- of writing indicate that the Allied troops are maintaining a firm and unyielding defence. The one noteworthy change from the position disclosed yesterday is that the enemy has _ mastered the Moronvillers massif, and so has effected an advance of a. couple of miles on a section of the Champagne front east of Reims. Tho peaks which constitute tho Moronviflcrs ma.ssif are tactically important, and were won by tho French in hard fighting in 1916, but tho value of such observation points has been much modified by the later developments of the war. One correspondent observes that the French held the hills lightly and so avoided leaving a large haul of prisoners to theenemy when they withdrew their front to the south. It is evident that the Moronvillers peaks were given up in accordance with the policy which prefers the sacrifice of any but essential ground to that of lives. The loss of Moronvillers increases the likelihood' that Reims and portion of the forward area of tho salient in which it is situated may be evacuated, but such developments would not seriously change the aspect of the battle, nor would they imply more than a very limited approach by the enemy to his essential objectives.

* * ft K Between Reims and the Marne in tho vicinity of Chatillon no. appreciable change is reported. The easternmost point at which the enemy has crossed the river is apparently just west of Oeuilly. This village stands on tho south'bank, a little cast of Chatillon, and about 19 miles cast of Chateau Thierry. The enemy has crossed the river, 'it is stated, on a front of 14 miles.* Ho has gained ground chiefly in an area of rough wooded country well to the eastward of Chateau Thierry. As it stands, _ his achievement is that of establishing a not very extensive bridgehead," and in the most recent fighting he has been heavily punished by counter-attacks, in which both French and Americans have borne a gallant part, and'his initial gains have apparently been appreciably reduced.

As a whole the news emphasises tho disastrous check to the enemy's plans. He has gained no more territory than might have been expected as a matter of course to change hands in a battle of such magnitude and to appearance is almost as far as when, he 'began from reaching any vital objective. If he fails to improve on his present achievement —and, as General Maurice observes, nothing is more difficult than to restore momentum After an attack is checked—he may attempt an attack on the northern front. But

his present effort will pave the way for action on these lines only in the degree in which it throws Allied dispositions out of gear and compels a southward movement of British reserves. As information stands, no such movement of Allied reserves is under way or contemplated, though the enemy has transferred a large number of division's from his own northern armies to the battle area. The fact that the Allies have launched no counter-stroke, even where their defences have been as deeply invaded as in the Amiens sector and the Lys Calient, is a fairly plain indication that they arc confident of their ability to cope with any attack that may develop on- the northern front.