PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3147, 27 July 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Apaiit from its immediate importance,' the. Humanism offensive reported to-day ia not without a hopeful bearing on the position in Russia. It is obviously unlikely that the Rumanians would have undertaken an offensive on any part of their front without being assured of the security of then- northern flank, and that security is .dependent ii[)on tho restoration of the- Russian line where it has lately given way. Tho area of the offensive—tho Southern Carpathians, not far from tho point at which tho battlefront turns southeast across Southern Moldavia—is one which prior to the collapse of the Russian armies in Galicia seemed to hold important possibilities of effective action by the Russo-Ru-manian forces. In the Carpathians these armies arc established on and near the Hungarian frontier, and one report a week or two ago declared that it was in this quarter that the Russians, with Rumanian co-operation, would develop their principal offensive thrust in tho present campaign. Hungary is for a number of reasons a tempting objective! and there may have been something in the story, but prospects of an invasion of Hungary, for the time being at all events, have, of course, become remote. In its scope, however, the Rumanian stroke appears to have been highly successful. Tlio attacking troops broke into strongly organised enemy defences on a wide front and captured nineteen guns, including soma of heavy calibre. Tho , attack is likely to serve an immediate purpose in. to some extent relieving pressure on tho retreating Russian line in Galicia.

Authorities agree in stating that the Rumanian Array, as a result of tho reorganisation which followed upon the disasters of last winter, has been raised to a high state of efficiency, and is now in all respects adequately equipped. The precise extent to which the disasters of the winter campaign were duo to the treachery of tho former Russian Government is still a moot point. Genekal lijescu. formerly Chief of tho Rumanian General Staff, declared in a public statement some time ago' that Rumania was first dragooned into tho war by the Stumer Government and then basely betrayed. Rumania, ho asserted, in spite of her long preparation, was not ready for war when she joined the Allies in August last, and only did so under pressure by the then head of. the Russian Government. After entering tho war she was denied necessary support, and was speedily involved in disaster. That Rumania was betrayed "by the former regime in Russia is not open to doubt, but evidence has been afforded that internal treason also had something to do with the terrible misfortunes which overtook her armies. In an interview with a Pctrograd correspondent not long ago, M. Bbatiaso, Prime Minister of Rumania, made the followin"- important declaration in reuivd to her present attitude and tho part she hopes to play in the continuation of the war: Hunrvnin aceepls the Russian formula of "no annexations or indemnities, and the "pigUfc of every nation to decide its own destiny. Rumania did not enter the war to make conquests. Her eole ninrwas the liberation of Rumanian territory held now in subjection by Hun- ° Tiii.' Russian democracy does not then require that Rumania should cluiugo her war aims, which remain precisely as

Humanist will struggle with all her forces until victory is achieved. Notwithstanding the, loss of half her territory, Buraimia has made great efl'orls to reconstitute her Army, which is now ready to rosume the. fight. Tier Army, perfectly trained, has now nt its disposal resources such as it never before possessed, and at this moment, when tho wnr seems to bo approaching its actual crisis, Riimnuiii, who has always kept her engagements towards her Allies, lias the right to expect that her Allies will remain faithful to the terms of the treaties binding them to her. BespecC (lor engagements undertaken ami tho keeping of promises which havo been given form the basis of tho life of peoples as of individuals. The best news from Russia to-day is l.hiit Ilio Generals on Hie lighting front, liiivo now heon given all neces-siii-y puwcrs do;ii with mutiny and treachery in tho armies under their command. The situation in

Galicia shows as yet no definite sign of improvement. The Russians aro now retreating on a front extending right across the province, and their tenure of Bukowina, in tin; south, is seriously imperilled. The Eleventh Army, whioli was mainly responsible for the disaster, appears to have been practically annihilated, and the retreat of two other armies is gravely endangered. There are some indications, however, that reserves arc now being thrown into the breach and it is possible that limits may presently ba set to what is admittedly a disaster of colossal proportions.

The latest account given of America's military preparations is that her authorities hope to send a million men abroad within a year, starting immediately, and that two additional drafts of 500,000 men each will he called up whilo the first contingents are leaving. These figures contemplate a total ■■ enlistment of well over two million men. The first draft of the new national army, which is to bo called up a fow weeks hence, will consist of 650,000 men. The contingents which aro to be sent abroad almost immediately will presumably bo drawn from the Regular Army and the National Guard, forces which are being recruited to an aggregate strength of more than half a, million men.