PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3097, 30 May 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Particular significance is 'apparently attached in London to Swiss telegrams dealing with the state of affairs on the- Russian front. It is stated that these telegrams confirm reports that a halt has heen called in the removal of Austro-Ger-inan troops from tho East front, and that numerous symptoms suggest that a Russian offensive will bo launched in the near future on a front extending , from the Carpathians to Galicia. This, of course, is not definite news. There nover is definite news of an offensive- before it is actually in motion. But as it stands tho message is indicative of a fairly widespread expectation that the Russians will take the offensive in tho near future in concert with their Allies. The accuracy of the prediction will soon be tested. It may bo noted meantime that the Russian Army, provided its organisation has not been undermined by the political disorders arising out of the revolution, is well and even favourably placed to resume- the task in which it acquitted itself so well last year. Even if he is no longer withdrawing troops from Russia, the enemy has certainly materially weakened his Eastern armies during the last few months, and it is doubtful whether He could by any readjustment again raise them to their former strength. So far as position 4s concerned "the Russians are still established in Southern Russia and Galicia- on tho lines reached at tho heig"K of their victorious offensive last year, and therefore are well posted to strike with telling effect.

The message quoted suggests that the Russians are likely, when they take- the offensive, to concentrate in the first instance mainly against Hungary. This may be merely speculation. At all events, assuming that a powerful Russian attack is in near prospect, tho enemy is particularly vulnerable in the region of Kovel junction, in Southern Russia. The. Russians last year gained positions west of the River Stochod, which is tho last natural obstacle covering Kovel, and arc within twenty miles of this vital centre in the enemy's communications on tho railways approaching it from tho east. To the enemy, the loss of Kovel would mean the loss of convenient contact between his armies in Russia'and those which are opposing the Russians in Galicia. Ono result would bo .to facilitate a crushing Allied concentration against Austria. Even in the- days of Russian disorganisation which followed tho revolution tho enemy failed to modify in any important particular the unfavourable position in which ho is placed in Southern Russia. Ho dislodged tho Russians from a bridgehead on the Stochod in bhe trackless marshlands about forty miles noi ( th-east of Kovel, but this does not alter the 'generaj situation to any material extent. In Galicia, also, the position is substantially as it was when a halt was called in 1916. Tho Russians had then made considerable headway in a converging movement against Lcmberf? from the north-east, cast, and south, and at their nearest approach they are within about fifty miles of that objective. Except on the Rumanian front the main chain of the Carpathians is still opposed as a barrier to the progress of the Russians, but their forward movement in Galicia last year deprived the enemy of tho use of several important passes.

Ir will be remembered that at the beginning of this year the Russians drove home an attack on tho Riga front which had the effect of seriously weakening the enemy's flank defences where his lino extends to the Gulf of Riga. At the other end of their front, in Rumania.thcir lino follows the main chain of the Carpathians down tho western frontier of Moldavia and then runs across Southern Moldavia to the Danube by way of .the Sereth. As a- whole, tho situation on the East front holds promising possibilities From tho point of view of tho Russians, and "tho only question, really open is whether they sire in a condition to mako the most of their opportunities.

From l.lie particulars given to-day it will be seen that the new diseipliuary code tor the- Russian lighting services which lias just been adopted by the Provisional Government is in the nature of a somewhat novel experiment. Thai such a code is inconsistent with military efficiency cannot, however, bo taken for granted. The general effect is to reserve to a soldier or sailor off duty bis full rights'us an ordinary citizen, and it is quite possible that those conditions may be reconciled with the discipline and obedience to authority which are essential un wrvii'c. It is. "f course, a material factor in the situation tlvit Hie Russian Army, like others in the li'-ld today, is a citizen army assembled to light in defence of national rights ■ aud ideals. 11 is natural (.'lU'iigli

that such an army should decline, to be governed by the codes applied to the standing professional armies of the days before the war.

It is necessary to distinguish between the partial disorganisation of the Russian Army which resulted frum the revolution and the process of demoeratisation which was also set in motion by that event. For instance, in the form iu which it was briefly cabled, the news.that an arrangement had been made under which Army officers were, to share their authority with elected committees gave some ground for uneasiness. But fuller information on the subject received by mail shows that tho creation of committees of conciliation is an enterprise- in which General Alexieff, now in supreme command of the Russian armies, took an active part before the revolution was many weeks old. Writing at the end of March the London Times correspondent at Petrograd stated that Genefju, Alexieff was doing his utmost to bring thft armies of New Russia up to the highest standard of efficiency. "With this end in view," added tho correspondent, "it has been arranged tliat each regiment or unit shall have a committee composed of elected officers and men to act as a conciliation board respecting matters of internal discipline and management. These committees will be subject to an clcctc-d chief committee of officers and men attached to tho staffs of the various fronts and headquarters. These latter will be tho sources of information on all matters concerning the Army, and wil! be in direct touch with ca-ch unit through the Regimental or Battery Committees. Their main object will be to devise a system of discipline which, while giving the maximum efficiency, will yet conform to the new conditions brought about by the Revolution. During the early days of the Revolution certain units at tho front elected committees, in accordance with the instructions of tho Committee of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates. Officers werethen considered ineligible, but now these committees have agreed to accept officer members. Thus the men's representatives are showing , their desire to conform to discipline. Genehal Alexiefk has also formed a committee to give information and instruction to officers who arc to be used for special propaganda, work in cases in which misunderstandings may arise. By these measures General Alexieff has shown, his sympathy with the new ideas and aspirations. He has met the Committee of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates by a practical acceptance of their programme. At the same- time he has made, known that, while Headquarters are desirous of doing their utmost to strengthen tho new Government, he relies 'on tho committee to help this process by action on its part."

The same correspondent took an optimistic view of the general war outlook in Russia. "At present,' bo remarked, "a wave of patriotic feeling is passing over the. whole of Russia. All the officials in every Ministry arc working night and day to establish order out of chaos, lhis tremendous work is already bearing fruit in all directions. Under this impulse of a. new national consciousness we may look forward to achievements beyond anyone's expectations. Even the obvious clangers ahead may actually be turned to the advantage of New Russia, _in theso conditions. Tho general situation is undoubtedly improving.' It is not to be supposed that tho clforts and activities which the correspondent describes have been suspended in the period of political strife experienced since he- wrote. Highly organised forces in Russia are concentrating undividcdly upon winning the war, and some wellinformed observers have declared that a denned attempt to depart from a, vigorous war policy would give the signal for a far more terrible revolution than that which broke out in March.

Prospects of an Italian advance on Trieste arc growing brighter. Tho capture of further positions , on the Carso 'is reported to-day, but the arresting feature of the news is tho general testimony borne to Ihc fact that the Italians are making effective uso of a marked superiority in fighting power. In spite of the calls ho has made upon his armies on the East front, the enemy is outclassed in artillery and notably outclassed in the air. The Italians are still faced by the powerfully fortified Mount Hermada, but the iashion in which it is being battered by their artillery should herald its early conquest.