PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3137, 16 July 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Some indications arc afforded today that tho great artillery battle which has been in progress for weeks in the Western theatre is about to rise into even fiercer conflict. These indications, of course, gain colour from the consideration that tho Western Allies will naturally make the most of tho conditions created by tho Eussian offensive, but in any case tho Allied, guns for weeks past have been doing work of which the full fruits will only be- realised when great battles liko those of April are resumed. In recent weeks tho AngloFrench offensive has been continued •as an artillery attack of unprecedented power upon an enemy fighting at maximum, strain, and with, his lino weakened by tho loss of vital strongholds liko Vimy Ridge, Messines Ridge, and tho heights of tho Aisno. Tho aim of the Allies in these weeks has been to subject the cnomy to tho heaviest possiblo loss and wreck his organisations'. This in any case- was paving tho way for attack, and now that tho enemy is subjected to heavy additional strain in ilussia it is more than likely that the Western Allies will quicken tho pace of their offensive, and that a policy of forward movement will shortly bo resumed. It is by this time well understood that the essential aim of tho Allies is not merely to gain territory, but to destroy tho enemy armies. Very probably, however, at tho stage which has been reached, the Allies will best promote t-lic ends they have iu view by a policy of vigorous assault. 1 * * * *

SuacESTivß oviclenco that such a development; is iu near prospect appears to-day in both _ British and Fronch reports. It is presumably not without significance that the severest aerial battles of tho war (vcro fought on the British front in tho closing days of last week. Sir Douglas Haig reports that on fCjiursdaj; there ,werG fiOEtinuous .on-

gagements between large formations, the squadrons in sonio cases consisting of thirty machines. Like every other decisive test of the kind these air battles turned heavily against tho enemy, who lost aeroplanes in tho ratio of nearly four to one. Thirty-one German machines wero brought clown on Thursday, and nine British machines are missing. It is evident that as usual the bulk of tho fighting took place over the enemy lines. The Com-mander-in-Ohicf mentions that many photographs were taken, and that tho bombing of the enemy's aerodromes, dumps, and stations continues. The circumstances accentuate tho enemy's defeat. Tho French also report exceptional aerial activity, and it is officially stated that eighteen enemy machines were brought down on tho French section of the front. It is, of course, possible that the enemy is contemplating a, further retreat in tho "Western theatre, and is trying despsrately to screen his preparations from Allied observation. In any case, indications aro distinctly suggestive of impending battle.

Tee continued success of the Russian offensive is rapidly transforming the aspect of the Eastern campaign. As news stands a great part of the enemy front, extending across Galicia, has been either wrecked or dangerously outflanked. The situation is summed up in a Petrograd message which states that ; the enemy's southern forces are being pursued towards tho Carpathians and that tho route to Lemberg and Stryj (an important junction duo south of Lemberg and midway between that cifcy_ and the main chain of tho Carpathians) has been opened. In places, notably at Brzezany, tho enemy is clinging obstinately to his line, but his positions at Brzezany havo been turned by tho Russian advaneo further south, and retreat is only a matter of time. At the moment of writing there is little detail news of events north of tho Dniester, but in tho region south of that river tho Kus3ians are making rapid headway. It is hero that they are cutting between tho enemy's right-wing forces, which aro retiring on the Carpathians, and others fur-

ther north which must retire on Lemberg. Advancing beyond Kalusz, the railway town about 20 miles west of Stanislau they captured at tho end of last week, tho Russians aro now striking across tho roads and railways whioh servo the enemy as lines of lateral communication. Tho enemy is fighting bard in defenco of theso routes, but apparently only in an endeavour to safeguard his retreat. In their advance of more

than twenty miles the- Russians have already done a great deal to hamper and endanger tlio enemy's retreat in this southern country. Taking account only of specific details in the official reports, thoy aro within thirty miles of one of the few railways which afford continuous communication between Galieia and

Hungary—the lino -which runs south from Lemberg by way of Stryj, and after passing the Carpathians runs through Hungary by way of Munkacs. Other reports suggest that the distance separating the Russians from this vital railway has perhaps already been materially reduced.

As a wholo, though officials news does not bear out the statement of the Morning Post correspondent at Petrograd that llio Russian infan-. try is advancing by forced marches on Lemberg, the remaining obstacles to an advance on that place are being rapidly surmounted. Apart from the rapid (tide- of events in Galieia, activity is reported east of Vilna and in Southern-Russia, west of Lusk. It remains distinctly possible that the scope of the offensive may presently bo considerably extended. :