PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 291, 28 August 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

In the news of the last clay or two some striking indications have been given of increasing demoralisation in the enemy armies on the Western front. These indications are not discredited by the fact that resistance is stiffening in some places in which the Allies have broken into the enemy line—notably in the region of Bapaume, where signs of demoralisation _ became plainly- evident in the initial stage of the British attack. It is not claimed that the enemy's organisation as a whole has broken down or even that there is any present prospect of such a collapse. What is claimed is that his defensive orgaib isation has crumbled dangerously in places, and that he is finding it increasingly difficult to patch up these weak spots as the Allies follow up one surprise blow with another. ' It is no doubt necessary to give full heed to the note of caution sounded by correspondents and other observers. Nevertheless the incipient demoralisation now in evidence _is highly significant as 'an indication of possible developments as the cam^ paigo continues. °** * » It is all the more significant,, in view of the fact that the Gorman authorities seem to bo going to all possible lengths in a policy of concealment and deception. In a dispatch published yesterday the 'New Zealand official correspondent mentioned that prisoners taken on the Bapaumo front knew nothing of the recent Allied successes further smith. The policy of concealment invites its own penalty, and there are indications that tho enemy is endeavouring, not very hopefully, to find an alternative. A German semiofficial organ is quoted to-day as imploring tho German people not to despair, and declaring that it is no longer a question of 1 Belgium or Alsace-Lorraine, but that Germany is fighting for her life. Still greater interest attaches to the observations of Vorwacrts, ostensibly a Socialist organ. It asserts , that the German people- are not beaten, and that what is beaten is the omnipotence of the mailed fist and tho jingoes of world Acccptr cd at'its face value,, this might be regarded as a gleam of returning sanity, but such declarations _aro apt to ca,rry a special meaning in a country where all but a minority of tho so-called Social Democrats have identified, themselves with extreme Pan-German aims. It is perfectly tiuo that a German victory would make as definitely for tho degradation of tho German people as of tho nations whom Germany _ hoped to subdue. But it will bo time enough to believe that this view _ of the matter has gained recognition in Germany when the German people | attack and overthrow the rulers and leaders who stand, quit© frankly, ior world dominion. Meantime it is probably not wrong to regard the observations of Vorwacrts as ono of a number of clumsy offorts now being mado or inspired by the German Government to provo that by some magic the war has become from tho German standpoint one of selfdefence. The practical question raised is how far tho men who made Germany drunk and mad with dreams of conquest can rely upon retaining their control now that the tide of war has plainly turned. # » » • Still advancing, though' not rapidly, north and south of Bapaume, • the British have sprung another surprise on the enemy, and with notable effect. A sudden thrust on a short front east and south-east of Arras has brought .the attacking troops into touch with the Hindcnburg lino, upon which the enemy retreated in 1917. The advance extends to tho outskirts of Roeux (a village five miles east of Arras), which had a place in that 'ine. Monchy-le-Preux, which has been captured, is a strategically important position a couplo of miles south of Roeux. It is situated not far from the eastern end of an elevated spur whioh overlooks a considerable area of lower ground to tho cast. Judging by reports, the advance has not yet reached its limits. Meantimo, further south, positions have been gained north and slightly east of Bapaume, as woll as south-Bouth-west of that place. At time of writing there is no official report of the capture of Bapaume, but in spite of tho enemy's increased resistance the town is in a fair way to be encircled.