PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 4, 30 September 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The Gorman armies in the Western theatre avo at present striving to make head against a power of attack such as has never Jwforo been developed in war. The Aincd offensive, now in progress surpasses all precedent in regard to the length of front on which attacks are being simultaneously developed, and there is every_ indication that in all respects it is setting new standards. Tho great Franco-American thrust in the Champagne is in itself on an unprecedented scalp, and it is seconded and accompanied by a tremendous onslaught by the British armies on the defences covering Cambrai. Attacking on a. Eront of about 14 jnilcs, p.art of it east of tho

lino on which the Drocourt-Qucant "switch" was breached, the British have penetrated these defences almost as deeply as the French and Americans havo broken irrfo the enemy's powerful field fortifications in the' Champagne, and as far east as the Mouse. _ As official reports stand, the British are facing Cambvai on a wide front at a distance of little moro than three miles. Tho wooded Bourlon Hill, the battlescarred eminence which was so desperately contested last year, is again in British hands, and from this point there is clear and unimpeded observation into tho area beyond Cambrai. An unofficial report that Cambrai has been captured awaits confirmation. Details srs lacking meantime of the offensive which British and Belgian troops have open' ed in Flanders, but on the particulars supplied it would seem to be a formidable addition to tho attacks in progress elsewhere. As much must certainly be s-aid of the renewed attack by General Mangin's army on a front astride the heights of tho Aisne and looking into the flank of tho Chemin des Dames positions.

Apart from the gain of positions commanding Cambrai and making it useless to the enemy as. a centre of communications other tactical advantages of high importance have been won by the Allies in the latest operations. But the question how raised is hardly one of detail. The assertion made a few days ago by the German Chancellor that tho Hindcnburg'line will not be broken is being put to the test in a, fashion of which he probably hardly dreamed. Even with winter near at hand it is doubtful whether the enemy will bo able to maintain an clastic defence against such attacks as. tho Allies arc now developing; anywhere near the areas in which his armies now stand.

Bulgaria's peace overtures are regarded with suspicion in some quarters, and if any question arose of. limiting military action in order to deal with these- overtures there would be every reason for suspicion. But all the evidence in sight suggests thai Bulgaria is seeking peace simply from self-interest, and as a matter of necessity. She cannot expect easy terms. It is likely llint the Allies will demand practically her unconditional surrender. But the alternative to accepting theao terms would seem to be unqualified military disaster. The Serbs have captured Veles and are pressing forward towards Uskub, and aro also making good headway towards the Bulgarian western frontier. At the same time the Anglo-Greek invasion of south-western Bulgaria is developing with excellent promise. Already heavily penalised in men and material, and with their military prospects growing darker day by 'day, the Bnlgars have little enough freedom of choice.