PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 280, 15 August 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Generally speaking almost stationary fighting is reported to-day over a considerable part of the battle area in the Western theatre. The French, however, seem to be making continued progress in. their attack on tho Lassigny massif; and in regard to the situation as a whole the suggestion is well to the foro that the further development of tHc Allied offensive is delayed only by the necessity of moving forward artillery and completing other preparations. Striking evidcncc_ is presented in official and unofficial news of the straits to_ which the enemy is reduced in his efforts to re-establish a sound defence. It is manifest that unless tho_ picture is greatly overdrawn he is in a condition which invites further attacks pressed with all the speed and power of which the Allies are capable.

An attempt to convey an idea- of tho material losses sustained by the enemy is a correspondent, who mentions that the dump at Rouiercs alone was worth millions sterling. Rosiercs, a former enemy depot west of Chaulnes, is only one 'of many similar depots captured by tho Allies, aind the value sot upon tho accumulation of stores is impressive even in view of the familiar fact that each of the principal belligerents conducts the war at a cost of millions sterling per daysome of them at the rate of six or seven millions per clay. In order to accumulate shells and other material worth millions at a given depot, the enemy must, of course, incur an enormously greater outlay. Detailing the captures effected'during the, past week by the French and British armies ulidor his command in the battle, Sir Douglas Haio mentions, besides 23,000 pri3oners and 600 guns, three complete trains and "vast stocks of stores." It'cannot be doubted that tho enemy is terribly weakened by the loss of so much material as well as by his enormous total of casualtics, now estimated at 360,000 since July 18. The captures listed by Sip. Douglas Haig are independent of those made by the French Third Army, which is attacking the Lassigny massif.

Events have moved so swiftly, in recent days that it is somewhat difficult to maintain a, just sense of perspective and proportion. The question now uppermost is how far the Allies may be expected to go during the remaining period of fine weather in' compelling the enemy to enlarge the present scope of his retirement. But it should not be forgotten that they have already compassed a great achievement in throwing th* enemy offensive out of gear, to all, appearance hopelessly and finally. How great the achievement is may best be judged by reference to German estimates of the situation and outlook before the Allies opened their counter-offensive. For example, it is_ interesting at this stage to recall the following observations made by the Frankfurter Zeituntj early in June: "But we must always keep, before our eyes the fact that, for the first time since the days of the Marne, there has been in France a campaign which is gathering together with ruthless energy all Germany's reserves of strength, and which has been prepared and will be executed an farseeing lines in proper sequence of work and with.the coolest circumspection. In short, for the first time since the autumn of 1914 real offensive strategy according to the old Prussian doctrine of war. is at work. A decision by force in the West could not be expected as long German might had not attained its most powerful development on the Western battlefields. That is the ease to-day; we all wish for nothing more heartily than that the lofty goal will be reached." Tho outcome of ''real offensive strategy according to the old Prussian doctrine of war" appears very plainly in the events of the last four weeks and in current news.

Althoug.k they agree in declaring that the enterprise is well advanced and is developing prosperously, reports dealing with the French attack on the Lassigny massif vary slightly in regard to the progress made. The massif is a tract of rolling wooded country about eight miles long and half as wide lying south of the towns of Lassigny and Noyon. The crest, which the French have gained at most points, runs cast and west at a distance of two and a half or t three miles south of a line connecting Lassigny and Noyon. The "northern corner," which the enemy still holds, is apparently an elevated spur which runs north from the main ridge to south-west of Lassigny. L'Ecouvillon, one of tho points on Hie ridge which the French have mastered, is little more than six miles distant from Noyon, which is a centre of important roads and railways. The bombardment of Noyon at comparatively close range promises to rank as a highly important step towards opening another dangerous

breach in the enemy's defensive line.

The noteworthy announcement is transmitted to-day thatßritain has given formal recognition to the Czccho-Slovaks as an Allied nation. Besides regularising the position of the Czccho-Slovak armies which are fighting gallantly in Kussia and Italy, and the third army which is training for service on the FrancoBritish front, this step, particularly if it is endorsed by the other Allied Powers, will no doubt stimulate the movement for national liberation amongst the Bohemians and their kinsmen in Hungary.