Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16273, 25 July 1918, Page 6

Progress of the War.

The interesting summary of the position on tho Western front which is given jn to-day's messages indioates that before long we may see the centre of interest transferred from the Champagne to a point further north. Nothing of very great moment is at present happening between Montdidier and Ypres, although on various sectors local gains are being made. The French, for example, have made a smart little push north-west of Montdidier, and Sir Douglas Haig has improved his po3ition south-west of Ypres. The enemy is still active opposite Amiens, but no infantry action is reported. It is on some sector north of Amiens, probably, that the German drive mentioned in the summary referred to will bo attempted. The Germanpplatn t it is supposed, was a double blow. The drive to the Marne and beyond, Rheims being pinched out, and a line being established from Soissons through Montmerail to Chalons, waa to be succeeded by a blow at Haig in the North. Princo Rupprecht's offensive, it is suggested, would havo been in progress beforo now but for the breakdown of the present German drive. His reserves, it is said, have not been greatly cut down, and h© will strike when, and if, th'e position in the Champagne s comparatively safe. The weakness of the enemy at present is his obligation to think of other than purely military considerations —a weakness which does not affect tho Allies, who can afford to wait until the American armies—now arriving, according to Sir Leo Chiozza Money, at the rate of 300,000 monthly —givo Foch strength enough to pursue a positive policy. The German people are bocoming weary and despondent, and must be encouraged by successes in tho field. Hence the necessity for some "dazzling stroke" in tho North. In tho meantime the enemy is being gradually pushed back on both flanks of the Soissons-Rheims salient. On tho western flank the progress of the Allies is good. They have pushed ap closo to Soissons, and have occupied Oulchy, the main centre on the Sois-sons-Chateau Thierry road. The French and Americans hav Q pushed forward nearly to the southern edge of the forest south of Fere-en-Tardenois, but along tho Marne valley from Charteve eastward progress is slow. Tho main business of tho British troops in this centre is to progress up the Ardro, on the south-w9st of Rheims. The stubbornness of the German resistance ; points to his having drawn rather moro

freely on Rupprecht's reserves than is suggested. There are signs, however, that the continued pressure along the Ourcq valley on the one hand, and jhe advance in the Marfanx region on the other, will force a general withdrawal of the enemy to the Vesle line in a few days.