PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 36, 6 November 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

•■ As events are moving in the Western theatre every hour is giving Germany additional reasons for making all haste to accept what terms the are prepared to grant. Present indications are that the Germans are retreating on their whole front in Flanders and Northern France, and that even -an the most limited and immediate view the movement has been perilously delayed. Qn the northern part of their front the Germans have a wide traot .of territory to traverse before they reach .the line of the Meuße'. Meantime in the region of the Argonne and north of Verdun the French' and Americans are driving forward in an offensive tfhich holds a deadly threat for the Germans, not only on thoir present lino, s but on_ the lino to which they are retreating. The enemy has been all but completely dislodged from the deep pocket he lately held between the Aisne and the Mouse. The Americans are now 14 miles ahead of their recent_ starting point and are in a position to bombard the 'vital lateral railway which runs thro'ugh Maubeuge, Hirson, Mezieres, Montmedy, and other junctions behind the German front. When this line is completely cut the enemy will bo reduced to the use of one instead of two arterial railways in conducting his northern retreat and his armies will be divided into two groups. Had he been making a voluntary rcJreafc-the area in which he is reeling Back before, the ' Franco-American onset would have, been held almost to the last. The invasion of his communications already accomplished enormously accentuates »his perils and difficulties. As a whole the situation seems to fuily warrant M. M'AROBii Hutin's observation: "Enveloped and deprived of munitions, Germany, with or without the Kaiser, is ripe for oapitulation."

'■ Not manv weeks ago Germany was concentrating upon the aerial bombardment of hospitals.. Now she is whining that the time has come for the cessation of bombing attacks "in rear of the zone of operations." Only a few days ago her Gotlias violently bombarded.Nancy and found many victims, but she nevertheless hasthe audacity to inquire why the Allies have,not followed her"example in abstaining from such attacks since Octoßer 1. Her motives, of course, are self-evident, So long w she had the advantage of position she exhausted the possibilities of aerial frightfulness, but at the stage to which events have been carried she is not only hopelessly outclassed in the air, but is exposed to aerial attack at close range and where , it will tell with deadliest effect. The forward sweep of the Allied armies •in France and Flanders exposes the arsenals and munition centres in the Rhine valley to tho full terrors of bombardment from the air. On top of this the collapse of Austria, as one of to-day's messages points onfc,, gives the Allies prospects of developing aerial attacks at short range against the heart of Prussia—Berlin itself will be easily accessible as soon as aerodromes aro established in Bohemia—Bavaria, Silesia, and other areas hitherto immune. Aerial attack now holds vastly greater terrors for Germany than it did not long ago, but even so it is wonderful that she has tho effrontery to suggest that the Allies should limit their operations at her desire. She must have anticipated a contemptuous rejection of her proposal, but possibly sl)e is intent on working- urj a case for the Peace Conference a't which she hopes to be rep resented , , though her -hopes will prove vain if tho Allies are true to themselves and thoir cause.

The terms of the armistice with Austria have not been officially disclosed at time of writing, but MitBonar Law's statement in the House of Commons indicates that they are at least as stringent as is suggested in the forecast transmitted from New York. If tho forecast is accurate tho Allies are at full liberty to take all possible advantage of tho opportunity of attacking Germany on a new front.

Trooper Louis Salek, of tho Australian Medical Corps, now on furlough in Wellington, states that. somo months ago General Allenby vetoed the- wearing of, "shorts" 'by the troops in Palestine. Ever' since the arrival of the New Zealand and Australian forces in Egypt "shorts" havo been considered tho coolest and most woikmanliko leg-wear, but such is. the filth and ingrained disease in tho native population, and even tho ground itself, that the men began fo contract septic knees that would not heal without a very great deal of trouble. Now the mounteds, wear dungarco riding pants (which become white with washing) and leather leggings, and, in tho case of some of tho infantry, puttees.