Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15752, 20 November 1916, Page 6

Progress of the War.

Attention to-day is concentrated on the Balkan area. In the south, before Monastir, and in Macedonia, the news for the Allies is good; in tho north on the Roumanian frontier, it is had. By means of a converging attack from three sides tho Allies are reported to now have Monastir practically at their mercy. Even 'should this be an exaggeration, the gains made recently must go a long way towards securing the ultimate capture of the town as a still further advance has been made upon the open plain. A considerable number of prisoners and guns, together with a great quantity of has fallen to the Allies in this sector, while on the Struma tho British have captured and consolidated tho village of Barakli. The time has evidently arrived for decided and energetic movements in this quarter. It is possible that this decision is not \mconnected with the visit of General Roques, the" French Minister of War. At any rate, it will be one area where activity will bo calculated to relieve the strain upon Roumania, which is now being renewed by reinforced German forces in the Jiul and Alt valleys. The Roumanian and Russian messages admit compulsory retirements in both of these sectors, while Mr Bourchier, the representative of "The " Times," states plainly that the arrival of these German forces constitutes a grave situation, necessitating tho giving of further aid to Roumania. Having been consistently repelled in tho Ojtuz and Prahova valleys, respectively north-east and south of Kronstadt, the enemy is concentrating upon three points to the westward—tho Torzburger Pas s leading to the Roumanian railhead of Campulung, the Rotherthurm Pass opening into the Alt valley, and the Vulcan Pass leading to tho Jiul valley. The moro important efforts are being made in the Alt and Jiul valleys, which, it is interesting to note, are the points furthest from the area which Russia is reported to hare taken over from Roumania. The heights hero are also far loss formidable than in the Ojtuz and Prahova areas. It is to be hoped that this new mcnaco will be effectively countered. On the Italian front heavy snowfalls are hindering operations, and bad weather also prevails in tho West