PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3119, 25 June 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

' Some prominence is given in the news fco-day to a, local success by the Germans which has given them a footing in a French salient on one of jtho northern spurs of tho heights of',the Aisne. There is no reason, howovor, to suppose that this achievement is of serious importance. During the last'few weeks the Germans havo made repeated local attacks north of the Aisne and on other sections of the French front, but the French have throughout maintained an unshaken hold upon the positions on tho main ridge of the heights of the Aisne which they mastered in their spring offensive," and are at many points well beyond the ridge to tho north. The Chevregny spur, on and near which the Germans developed their latest assault, extends north from tho main ridge at a, point almost due south of Laon. Tho enemy is probably not much better off for his limited gain of ground, and official reports declare that he did not, penetrate the French line without incurring very heavy sacrifices. Available reports dealing with the British section of the front tell of no big development, but there aro further suggestive indication's of an impending cnemv retirement in Flanders. * * * * * In warning the Russians (as .they are said to have done by aeroplane messages dropped on the northern front) that there- will be no more fraternising, and that' henceforth they will shoot at sight, tho Germans are no doubt making tho best of a bad job. They havo everything to gain from stalemate on the East front, and it may be taken for granted that they have done nothing of their own volition to bring it to an end. News of their formal announcement of a resumption of hostilities is accompanied by other reports which tell of a rising stir of fighting on the Russian front. One Berlin message speaks of severe fighting in the vicinity of Smo-rgon (east of Yilna), in Southern Russia, and in ■ G&licia, and another mentions increased fighting in the middle area of the last-mentioned province, between the Lemberg-Tar-nopol railway and tho Dniester. These reports at time of writing arc not confirmed from Petrograd. Russian official reports in hand speak o) some progress in Western Persia, but make no mention of tho main theatre. Taking account, however, oi General -Brusilofk's report thai there has been a gratifying improve- . ment' in the moral of tho llussiar armies during tho last six weeks, il ' seems not impossible that th<

enemy's apparent expectations of increased activity on the East front in tlio near future may bo realised. The extent to which the efficiency of the Russian armies has been undermined by tlio disorders of the revolution, and the time that will lie, needed to make up leeway, arc;, of course, matters of speculation. Such a recovery as would enable .llussia to do herself full justice/in tlie>liekl is not likely to be speedily accomplished. Any organised military effort hv Russia, hovAjvcr, would soon add formidably to the problems of the Central Empires, and the reports which have been touched upon distinctly suggest that eurth an effort may hot bo long delayod.

A less promising item of news from Russia relates to the retirement of A-DJIIKAr, ICOLCHAK fl'OUl the Though he is only 43 years old AdMißAn K OLChak has a very high reputation as a naval officer, and was mentioned some time ago as likely to become Minister for tho Navy in the Russian Coalition Government. Admiral Kolchak was appoined to tho command of tho Black Sea Fleet in succession to Admiral A. E. Ebeiigaiid in June last. He is said to be the youngest vice-admiral in the world, being, at the time of his appointment, only 42 years of ago. Ho entered the Russian Navy in 1891, and was promoted to officer's rank three years later, attained flag rank on April 10 last yoar, and two months later was promoted to viceadmiral. Tho Petrograd correspondent of tho Times recently, supplied the following particulars of Admiral Kolchak's career:—'After receiving a, series of military distinctions during, tho Russo-Japanese war for his share in the defence oi Port Arthur, Kolchak, fromloo6 to 1912, worked on tho Naval General Staff, only just instituted, and took a most active part in tho organisation of tho resuscitated Russian Navy; but in IDOB and 191 l he interrupted his staff activity to tako command of the transport Vaigach. For the last two years before tho war Vice-Admiral Kolchak commanded successively the /torpedo, boats Ussuriete and Pogramchmk. During the present war tho distinguished military gifts and gallantry of this young officer attracted general attention, and won for him a series of martial awards, including the 4th Degree of St. George.' ;

« * ,* * No definite statement has yet been mado as to what will bo done after the war with the German ships seized in Portugal, the United States, Brazil and elsewhere, though the fact that an Allied conference approved the principle of ton-for-ton compensation for Allied ships illegally sunk by submarines no doubt indicates what the ultimate decision willbe. As to the ships seized in Fortußal an American correspondent stated recently that tho prevailing idea was that they would go ultimately into Portugal's merchant marine. Meantime- they have been turned over to Great Britain on a rental basis. Britain has rented tho ships for approximately £1,400,000 a year, to be paid after the war. Very probably the- United States may conclude a similar arrangement with Brazil 7 in reference to the enemy ships lately, seized 'in Brazilian ports. ■ ■ ,