PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 20, 18 October 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

It now seems certain that the report that Germany had capitulated was at least premature, but it is plain that her military situation is going rapidly from bad to worse. To-day s reports show that the Allied offensive in Flanders is developing with good promise. The British have reached the outskirts of Oourtrai, and according to an unofficial report have captured that junction, while the French and Belgians are also pushing forward further north. The line of retreat of the enemy forces in Flanders is now seriously narrowed; and it is evident that their position will become precarious unless they speedily retreat. West of Courtrai tho British have captured Menin' and crossed the Lys at Wervicq, due north of Lille. The Lille salient is being gradually driven in on the north, west, and south-west, and in view of the steadily developing flank movement on the north-east it seems by no means unlikely that the evacuation of the city is in near prospect. The same story of crumbling defences is told of the long front from the Oise to the Meuse valley,, on which the French and Americans are persistently attacking and driving forward. North and north-east of Reims the French are now more than twenty miles north of the line on which they opened their offensive a few weeks ago. Further east, in his prepared positions in the Meuee valley, the enemy is stubbornly resisting the attacks of the main American, army, but is losing ground day by day.

It may f be true, as General Maurice observes in an article quoted to-day, that there does not seem to be any immediate likelihood of another and greater Sedan—that is to say, of the envelopment of any considerable part of the retiring German armies—but it might have been said not many days ago that there did not seem to be any immediate likelihood of the British reaching Le Gateau. An advance extending to Courtrai is another unlikely event that has come to pass, and with such events crowding upon him it is hard to say what may happen %to the enemy even during the next few weeks. » * * *

Interesting light is cast upon the conditions of the German retreat from the Laon salient by a Renter correspondent at French Headquarters. He points out that although the retirement was technically well conducted and the enemy got away most of his material, he did so at tho cost of blocking the roads behind his retreating troops. Although he is still in places defending or falling back upon strong defensive lines it is plain that the enemy's difficulties are rapidly becoming more serious and more complex. Adding to this that Maeshal Foch's power of attack, as General Maurice observes, everywhere is daily increasing, it is possible to base high' hopes' upon prospects for the immediate future.

Strikes in enemy countries have often been given more prominence by the cabled news than their actual significance and importance warranted, but it is unlikely that this will prove to bo true of the general strike in Prague reported to-day. As a whole the news indicates that the upheaval has developed into a formidable revolt, and a Washington message, quoting French official reports, dcscribes'it as anopen insurrection. The oufceomo will be awaited with intenso interest, for, at the stage readied by the Dual-Monarchy, a of this nature may spread rapidly and come speedily to assume commanding importance. In general the Bohemians in their own , country have been of necessity and wisely biding their time- and waiting for tnc day when a bid for freedom would have reasonable prospects of success. If their present insurrection is according to plan it may defy suppression and act also as an example and stimulus in other parts of the Monarchy where subject and oppressed races are awaiting the day of liberation.