Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15930, 18 June 1917, Page 6

Progress of the War.

Tho communiques from tho Western theatre this morning report a British advance of some importance. On a front of seven miles Sir Douglas Haig's forccs attacked tho enemy positions to the southward and eastward of Messines and astride the Yprcs-Comines Canal. Tho result of this operation was completely successful, all objectives being gained in both localities. Tho continued British advancc east of Messines has forced tho enemy to abandon his first line position from tho river Lys to tho river Warnave, thus removing the modest measure of protection which he formerly possessed in this locality. The new German line has now no natural

advantage, so that a further retirement seems inevitable. East of Monchy, and south of Scarpe, the British have advanced the positions captured by them last week between the Sart and Vert woods, and have their new lino against ineffectual enemy c ountcr-attaeks. There has apparently been a recrudcscence of submarine activity on the part of the Germans, and several losses are reported to-day. The French transport Annam, and the liner feequana have been sent to the bottom by enemy torpedoes. In the case of the Annam, which was under escort, there was no loss of life, but tho iSequana did not fare so well, 190 persons being set down as missing. The Union Steam Ship Company's largest vessel, the Avenger, was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea on Wednesday, fortunately with only the loss of one life. It is reported authentically that Germany has submitted peace proposals to llussia, on the basis of no annexations or indemnity. No further information is forthcoming regarding the situation in Grcece, but the Allied troops continue to occupy tho important centres of Thessaly. A serious crisis has arisen in Spain, where the Military Committees have assumed control of affairs, constitutional government being suspended for the time being.