PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3181, 4 September 1917, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

To-day's news from Russia is not good. On the Baltic Provinces front, 60iith-east of Riga, tho enemy has forced the passage of the Dwina, a river barrier which had defied his utmost efforts since tho Russians came to a halt in the great retreat of 2910. In that year and subsequently tho Germans launched heavy attacks against tho Dwina line, but their attempts broke down in failure even In tho days when the Russians were (heavily handicapped by shortage of artillery, munitions, and supplies of all kinds. On one occasion the enemy so far prevailed as to capture Dahlcn Island, which divides, tho Dwina at a point about a dozen miles south-east of Riga, but prior to tho events reported today lie gainod no permanent ■ foothold on the north bank of the Dwina. Demoralisation in tho Russian ranks and chaos behind tho lines have now given him on easy terms the advantage for which he formerly strove in vain. * * * -sAt an immediate view a crossing of the Dwina in tho locality indicated imperils the Russian troops holding a lino west of Riga and west ,of tho Dwiaa, where it turns north-west to the Gulf of Riga. It 'threatens Riga itself with capture, and is also a first step on the road to Petrograd.. that city,' however, tho Germans aro still separated by somo three hundred miles of lake and marsh country which affords many good defensive lines. Everything depends upon tho state of the Russian armies. As the Paris Matin remarks in an article quoted to-day, in sp'ite of the apparent successes of the, Central Powers against Russia, they remain in a most difficult position. They are undoubtedly in straits for reserves. Austria is more than fully on the Italian-front, and, according to tho Matin, Germany has been compelled to send her 1919 class to tho front. According to information published in June, seventy per cent, of the German 1919' class, which consists of 'about half a million youths of eighteen and under, tad then been under 'training .in the depots for some weeks, and it wias intended to call the remaining thirty per cent, during tho summer. As information stands tho French 1919 class has not vet been - called up, though the 1918 class (youths of nineteen) hasheen trained, and part 1 of it is said to have been sent to tho front. As Germany' is placed in the Western theatre, and Austria on tho Italian front, it is highly improbable that tho Central' Powers are capable of massing a strong force against Russia. The uncertain factor in the .situation is the extent to which tho Russian armies havo become a prey to demoralisation. Doing ,themselves anything like justice they are no doubt well able to bring the enemy to a halt,, but if they develop the habit of breaking and retiring when they are attacked it is, of course, impossible to say what may happen. Tho possibility that danger and military <Jisastor may rouse Russia to purposeful activity lias not disappeared, though it has not been strengthened by tho military failures of the last week' or two. It is reported, however, that tho Russians have at a number of points repulsed attacks, and also that tho Provisional Government is supporting#GENßßAL Kobniloff, and has agreed to' co-operate in tho reforms which he has demanded in the interests .of military efficiency It is impossible to forsee. the outcome, but at worst the enemy's prospects of reaching a settlement _ with Russia which would, enable him to eliminate tho Eastern theatre from his calculations are not good. Even those who take no very Hopeful view of Russia's prospects of regaining a state of military efficiency in tho near futur'o are generally agreed that no Government could take office in Russia with a programme of' concluding a separate peace.

Available reports dealing with the Italian front convoy good news, but mark no great advanco from the situation disclosed yesterday. The latest communique in hand speaks of the defoat of enemy • counterattacks north and cast of Gonzin and of some further progress in the movement around the northern fiank of the Hermada Plateau. It does not bear out the statement .o£ an unofficial message that continuous headway is being made both towards Monto San Gabrielle, and on 'the Oarso, but it is very probable that while they are beating back the enemy's vain attempts to. recover his lost positions the Italians are maturing their preparations for an early resumption of their forward drive.