Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15460, 13 December 1915, Page 6

Progress of the War.

The tone of to-day's messages regarding the campaign in the Balkans suggests that the situation is regarded as very serious. The official messages show that the Allies' withdrawal in the direction of the Greek frontier continues. General Sarrail reports that tho French retreat from the Tcherna was methodically effected without great loss, though tho enemy was heavily punished on Wednesday and Thursday. Thb French now occupy a front along the courso of tho Bojimia. The Bulgarians claim that the French were excelled from Gradetz on tho Vardar, and thrown back in great disorder. Many prisoners and ton British guns were taken near Pirovo, south of Strumnitza. The enemy also asserts that tho Allies' losses south of the Gabrovo-Valandovo lino were extremely heavy. A report from Salonica, that tho German troops under General von Gallwitz occupied Gevgheli on Friday is denied by Mr Martin 3>ono!ioe. An important conference held in Paris on Friday and Saturday is said to have arrived at complete agreement regarding the Balkans campaign, and to have removed the divergence of opinion on tho question of abandoning Salonica. It is reported that a firm Note has been despatched to Athens, asking for an immediate settlement of the position as between Greece and the Allies. The statement of M. Yenizelos regarding the Greek elections does not encourage much liopi> of a favourable attitude towards the Allies on the part of Greece. It serais inevitable that tho troops will be forced to withdraw to Salonica, and the question of the defence of that town is being discussed. It is estimated, but on what authority we are not told, that the British and French troops in Macedonia number MO,00.), and are opposed by -100.000 Bulgarians and Germans. It is probable. however, that these figures are >onicwhat exaggerated. The same message asserts that at least 250,000 troops will bo required to adequately defend Salonica, the geographical conformation in the vicinity being difficult for the purposes of defence. It j i> reported from Rome that the Italians ! have been continuously engaged for three days m disembarking troops at I Vaiona. a iiort on the coast cf Albania.

about .jd miles southward of Durazzo. There are evidences of considerable activity on Gallipoli Peninsula. A Turk«h communique reports violent artillery fighting there, but omits to state the remit. The Turks also claim to I have inflicted severe losses 011 the British forces at Kut-el-Amara. They state that a "division'' on the right bank of the Tigris was compelled to retiro to KuUel-Amarn. which is on the other side of the river. An official British statement regnrding the positions at the Dardanelles and in Mesopotamia would be welcome at this stage, especially as there are reports from various enemy sources regarding German preparations for participation in the operations on Gallipoli Peninsula. The oflicial silence on both sides regarding the operations on the Russian and Italian fronts is maintained. There are encouraging reports from the "Western front. ]n Champagne, south of fit. Souplet, the French ha%*e driven the enemy back beyond the crest, two miles south of the railway line which follows the south bank of the Suippe. The artillery fire which is general along the Western front is describee! as continuous, and to the advantage of the Allies, who at one point destroyed the enemy's first line and support trenches.

The news which we publish this morning of the phenomenal rush of recruits during the last few days of Lord Derby's scheme is most gratifying. The "Daily Chronicle," fearing that the required number of men would not he securcd. urged a postponement of the closing day until the end of the month. Lord Derby had undertaken to do his umost for the voluntary system as an alternative to conscription, and the Daily Xcws and ot her Radical organs agreed that if this effort failed conscription must follow. Lord Derby refused to listen to any dilatory plea, and said he should make his report to Mr Asquith on the day appointed, which was yesterday. By to-inorrow, if not this afternoon, we should know whether the required number of men have offered themselves; if not. in view of the serious development in the Balkans, the English Government will have no option, so as we can sec, but to employ compulsion to the shirkers who will not do their duty until the.y arc driven to it.

In explanation of tho tremendous ru.sh of men at the last momrnt. it is said that it is partly due to tho "procrastination of eligible* ?mtil the last hour, ' and in a minor degree to the serious outlook in the Balkans. We cannot help thinking that it is also partly duo to a conviction that conscription was within measurable distance, aDd to a very laudable decision on the part of a- number of wavercrs to go os volunteers and not as unwilling conscripts. "Whatever may bo tho explanation of this satisfactory rally at tho finish, it shows, we think, that Lord Derby was quite right in not listening to those who counselled procrastination.

Owing to there having been, for some time, no worse German atrocities than usual, not much has been heard of tho attitudo of Amcrica towards Germany. Many Americans, however, eontinuo to feel grieved that their country has been made by the President to out so poor a figure. Mr Edward Fuller, a prominent man in Philadelphia, has been active in letting tho British public know, through lotters to leading London journals, that the best American opinion coincides with opinion in England. In a letter to the "Morning Post," the other day, Mr Fuller dealt very faithfully with the President:—

"Our President has truckled to Germany. lie has compelled us to submit to intolerable injuries, he has left unavenged tho murder of American citizens on the high seas, ho has endured tho insolences of the German Ambassador, ho has accepted contemptuous "concessions" from Berlin that are! in fact, a denial of his demands. But ho has been quick enough, on the ether hand, to treat the issues which have arisen with England in the manner of tho pettifogging attorney."

| Mr Fuller explains a point which has \ doubtless puzzled a good many people outside America. How is it that in a democracy liko America tho Government can follow a course opposed to the desires and convictions of a majority of the citizens? The truth is, Mr Fuller says, that tho United States enjoys autocratic government. The President is elected for four- years, and cannot bo removed except by impeachment. He has full control of tho Cabinet, the Government Departments, the Army and Navy. When Congress is in session, it can restrict his policies by legislation: but if ho vetoes a Bill a two-thirds majority in both Houses is essential to its passage over tho veto. A Congress opposed to him can block his plans for legislation, of course, but it can do no more. Neither he nor his Ministers aro responsible to Congress as an English Prime Minister is responsible to Parliament. Since the Lusitania was sunk. Congress has not been in session, and the President has therefore had complete power in his own hands. There is only one important step he could not take without tin*consent of Congress: He has not authority to declare war. But the idea of the President declaring war in any circumstances is quite inconceivable.