PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3194, 19 September 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

To-day's reports speak of an increasing intensity of artillery conflict in Flanders and carry some suggestions, which must be taken meantime for what they aro worth, that the Allies may bo on tho 'eve of another forward move in development of their offensive, ln siyto of tho extent to which the plans'of tho Western' Allies have been upset by the failuro of Russian cooperation, it is distinctly possible that a titanic conflict may open in Flanders in tho near future. Tho possibilities of offensive notion on this section of the Western front, and the factors which may influence tho Allies in preferring it to areas further south, were interestingly sketched last month by Mb. Fhank Simonds, the wellknown American war correspondent. To striko between tho Lys and the se-a, he points out, means to fight over an agricultural region with few considerable towns. It means to operate in country relatively flatand offoring no such obstacles as tho Sommo region, with its many hills and deep-cut valleys. It means also operating in the sector nearest to Great Britain, and, therefore, nearost to tho sea bases, thus reducing the problem of rail transportation in France—no inconsiderable factor. "The ultimate strategic advantago of suocoss in the Ypres sector (Mr. Simonds adds) is plain. An advance of twenty miles, that is. an advanco equal to that mado from Royc to tho environs of St. Quentin this spring, would compel tho Germans to quit all tho rogion between tho Lys and the sea, to give up the Belgian sea coast, to abandon thbir troublesomo base at Zcebrugge and their even more troublesomo aeroElane bases behind tho coast, whenco ondon has been so frequently raided. At tho end of a campaign like that of the Somme last year tho British might hojpo to occupy a front from Holland behind tho Lys River. Or they might hope to foroo the passago of tho Lys, having taken Menin and Cambrai, and turn tho Germans out of Lille, Tourcoing, and Roubaix, without actually fighting in or about, these towns." •

Conditions are still improving on the Eastern front, and according to a statement issued by the Russian Embassy at Washington the Republican troops are moving south, in the region north of Riga, and have already advanced more than seven miles. It is not yet suggested that tho Russians are_ undertaking a oounter-offensive with a view to recapturing Riga. The news does not necessarily mean more than that tho Germans are preparing a defensive line covering Riga, but soutn of tho area in which the armies are now in contact, and are being driven back upon this line. Even' this development, however, would be a notable indication of tho reviving efficiency of tho Russian armies and of tho enemy's inability to bui'd upon tho advantage he has gained in capturing Riga and winning naval command of the adjoining gulf. It is claimed in the mossage just quoted that tho Gorman forces retained on the East front are greater than ever before. This is possibly an exaggeration even when account is taken of tho fact that tho transfer of some Austrian divisions to the Italian theatre has compelled the Germans to extend Uieir front in tho southern part of _ tho Eastern theatre, but the conditions disclosed carry a distinot promise that tho Russians will continue, to engage and hold a _ considerable number of German divisions and prevent further additions to the forces opposed to tho Western Allies. At the same time the political situation appears to be improving, and a report that General Kaledin has resigned his position as Hctman (head-man) of the Don Cossacks is a late indication added to others that tho Cossacks aro unlikely to revolt. General Kaledin's resignation from his official position In the Cossack community—hetman was originally a military title, but is also applied to tho elected elder of the Stanitsa, the unit of Cossack administration —is possibly a preliminary- to his surronder to tho Government.

A member of the American mission which recently visited Russia, whoso estimate of tho outlook is of particular interest, is Major Stanley Washburn. As a newspaper correspondent he spent somo years in Russia, and aocompanied tho Russian armies in several campaigns. Iri a statement mado in August last ho declared that it, was a very great mistake to take every retreat or reverso as a sign that Russia was "through." "Wo need have no fear of Russia's part in this war, saw as it concerns a. separate peace, he added. "Unless she makes one. Russia will do her sharo, and as long as the present Government stands, there will be no separate peace. The next year must bo one of patience with Russia. Wo mu't remember that their wholo scheme (if life and Government has been changed, and the peoplo mmot be mado over in a night. Tho tary outlook, 'from a geographical standpoint now, is not good, perhaps, but this should be a minor consideration in deciding whether Russia will go through tho war to tho end. It is the elemental character o;f the Russians that must- bo considered. They aro essentially a peoplo of great fortitude and bravery. In the face of the greatest reverses, they have come back in tho past, and there is every reason to believe that they will do it again. People in this country (America) say Russia is through, that her troops arc retreating, and that slie cannot bo counted upon to clo her bit I deny such a statement most emphatically. Consider for a moment, that since tho beginning of this war Russia has lost 22,000,000 people, seven million in battle and fifteen million refugees let she fights on. That is not the attitude of a peoplo about ready to retire from a war."