A WEEK OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 23, 22 October 1918, Page 5

A WEEK OF THE WAR

MILITARY SITUATION REVIEWED

THE ENEMY'S INTERNAL CRISES The following telegraphic summary of official war news for the week ended October 18 has been received bv the Prime Minister (the Et. Hon. W.' F. Massey) from the British Ministry of Information :— The first stage of the German retirement between the Oise and the Argonno' Forest was successfully carried out.' The enemy is now back to his main rear lino of defence. He cannot hold this any length of time, and the latest reports show that the French have established themselves north of the Serro Eivev. But the success of the first German withdrawal to the present line does not justifv the hope that the second stage of their withdrawal will be less successful. The Allies' difficulties increase with their advance owing to tho necessity of repairing and organising their lines of communications. Nevertb* less, last week's operations in Artois and Flanders greatly increased the enemy's difficulties. The Germans have not shortened, but lengthened, their front, and the withdrawal from the salients occupied involves large numbers of troops converging on certain points,. so that there must be a serious danger of congestion at the railways and road junctions. The Germans, however, are so good at large-scale troop movements that we must build no fantastic hopes on a general breakdown or great hauls of prisoners and material. In spito of the tremendous transformation of the whole military situation nothing justifies the view that the German armies are faced with imminent disaster and are on the point of collapse. In spite of their severe defeat, and losses totalling nearly 300,000 in prisoners and four thousand guns, the German line is still unbroken, and the German armies are still intact. No general demoralisation has yet started. The German Army numlwrs more than 200 divisions, and if they retire to tho line of the Meuse and determine to continue the strugglo there is no reason against their protracting tho war for many months yet, even if Austria and Turkey make peace. History very seldom shows a nation concluding a humiliating peace while retaining its army in the field, and it is probable that it is not so much the military situation which causes the enemy aniiety as tho imminent defection of all his allies, which would make his position quite desperate. Enemy's Internal Troubles. In tho kaleidoscopic movements of events it is no good saying more than that the German Government is probably frightened ii\to making the present apparent changes, with tho appointment of Princo Max and his support by the German Socialists not so much by the military situation as by the serious fear of a social revolution which might land the country in the hands of the Bolshevik and anarchist elements. It is uncertain whether Prince Max will stand or fall, but the latest news suggests that* the Socialists are prepared to maintain him, at any rate for tho present. Should ho g° it "would be the hardest matter to find a man of sufficient weight to replace him. Credible reports prevail regarding tho serious agitations throughout Germany, even among the workmen at Essen, end the tono of the whole Conservative Press shows deep gloom.. The Austrian Government apparently has lost control of the situation. Tho .Tugo-Slav, Czech, Polish, and Ukrainian members of the Eeiehsmth are reported to have withdrawn to make. Constituent Assemblies of their own. Thus . hardly anyone would Temuin in the Reichsrath except the German-Austrian section. But these realise that they are unable longer to dominate. Austria, and might join hands with the AustrOrGerman Socialists in demanding self-determination for the Austrian Germans. This must inevitably bring them up against other nationalities, but it might mean a unionism movement with the Germans of the Empire. If that should be so organised government'in Austria will practically cease, especially as their national questions.are so closely bound up with social questions that diverging national struggles might quiokly become class warfare. The Turkish situation and the composition of tho Tewfik Cabinet remain obscure. Since Turkey associated herself with the German and Austro-HnngaTion peace proposal to President Wilson, Turkey has taken no new step towards peace.

Tho War in the Air. ' Rapid movement of events on the Western front have made the heaviest demands on the British airmen. At' first while the British advances were aimed at Douai the air operations were centred chiefly between tho Scarpa and the Sommo. But early ou Tuesday morning the storm centre was moved to tho sector between Cambrai and St. Qucntin. An operation on the biggest scale was launched under cover of dark, and necessitated every possible form of aerial co-opera-tion. Soon after midnight heavy rainstorms greatly hampered tho machines, but after dawn the weather quickly cleared, and largo British forces flew perpetually over the .battlefield, directing tho artillery fire, reporting fresh targets, and maintaining contact with the front line. We again used the device of dropping smoko shells round the enemy's strong points to blind his machine-gun-ners and Screen our advance, thus saving many valuable British lives. After the fall.of Cambrai and Le Cateau the rapid erasion of tho enemy's vital system of railways converging on Brussels gave the British airmen, notable chances of attacking congested communications behind tho battle zone. Station junctions were repeatedly and heavily attacked, and the permanent way broken up at many points. Vainly did strong enemy air forces resist. Nine British machines were reported missing, but twenty-one of the enemy's machines were destroyed and nine more were driven down. From Thursday till Sunday bad weather greatly hampered flying. Pew of the enemy's machines were inet, and these wero mostly behind their lines. The British, however, carried out highlyi successful raids. On Monday, during the Belgian offensive at Dixmude and Wecrvicq most intense air activity prevailed. On this one day thirty enemy machines were destroyed, two wero brought down by ground fire, and six wero driven down. One balloon was shot down in flames. Tho R.A'.F., despite heavy mists, during the week dropped nearly twenty tons of bombs over tho usual objectives, and lost not one machine. In Russia. There is no improvement in the situation of the Czecho-Slovnks in Russia, and it is doubtful if they can maintain their present position unless help speedily arrives. Tho Balkans. Tho German and Austrian troops on the Balkans front have made no serious resistance, and are retiring in confusion with much loss in prisoners and guns. The capture of Durazzo should bo a considerable help in facilitating supplies for the Allies. (The cable news in this issue accredited to the London "Times" has appeared in that Journal, but only whero expressly stated is such 'news the editorial opinion of the "rimes.")