PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 17, 15 October 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A battle which began well and developed with promise, hut was brought prematurely to a halt by bad weather, is tho gist of tho latest news from Flanders. "Tho rain has reduced the battle-ground to a .perfect morasss," it is remarked by one correspondent, "but tho British and Anzao troops navigated the seas and mountains of mud like men performing a miracle." Splendidly as tho troops acquitted themselves, there is a limit to such miracles, and the possibility is now in very plain night that condition/) of ground and weather may givo the Germans a respite in Planderfi, which but for these factors they would be denied, 'l'hero is no reason to suppose that tho Allies are at a standstill for the year, but spells of heavy rain, which seem to be increasing, in frequency, obviously diminish tho prospect of an extended development of tho offensive in the near future. The state of affairs which has arisen is on© that must be very disappointing to tho gallant troops who have pressed the enemy so hard in recent days. There is no doubt that given good weather and roasonably firm ground underfoot a great viotor.v would be in their grasp. The Gorman defences havo been shattered and occupied over a wide extent of front, and tho result is, to quote a correspondent, "that the Germans must now oppose us more than on any. previous occasion since tho first Battle of Ypres with flesh and blood, instead of dugouts, deep tronchcs, and concrete redoubts." The attacking armies are visibly far advanced in the task of blasting and storming theiT way through the German front, and, the enemy's resisting power- is evidently strained almost to the limits of endurance. But tho heroism of tho Allied armies and their splendid organisation are foiled for tho time being by tho weather which is turning all Western Flandors into a morass. Sir Douglas Haig is quoted to-day as pointing out that the waterlogged condition of Flanders is worse now than ever before, becauso tho natural drainage has been stopped. He is referring, no doubt, to the inundation of a wide bolt of country on the northorn part of the Front, between Dixmudo and tho dunes of tho coast. _No great or lasting improvement in the conditions of ground which are desoribed in current reports cap. be cxpected until next year, but intervals" of good weather may enable the Allies to advanoe their' offonsivo well beyond its present stage before winter.

The battle reported to-day opened early on Friday morning on a front of half a dozen miles extending south-east from tho Forest of Houthulst to the Passchendaelo Ridge. Except where the attack developed against tho western slopes of tho Passchendaele Ridge, this front extends through low country, where tho mud is at its worst. The first objectives were swiftly gained, and progress was mado along tho whole lino, but a halt was called before tho final objectives had been reached. On the north, tho troops mado somo progress beyond Poclcapelle, along the marshy tanks of a stream which runs westward from the ndgo in this vicinity. Poclcapelle, however, stands two and a half miles west of tho crest, and tho British front probably still runs at no great distance oast of tho village. On the wuth, tho attackers reaohed, or'closely approached, the outskirts of the village of Passchendaele which crowns tho ridge somewhat less than two miles north of Broodiseindo, where, and for a thousand yards to the north, the British hold the crest of tho ridge. Tho results in sight, apart from the casualties inflicted on the enemy and the capture of more than seven hundred prisoners, are an of the turning movement around the Doreat of Houthulst and an advance on the western slope of the Passchendaele Ridge in an area where its crest is still in German occupation. No doubt much more pronounced advantages would have been gained if the weather had not so greatly favoured the enemy. "With matters in' this state on the land front, another naval bombardment of the enemy's positions on the Belgian coast is reported unofficially, and the Admiralty reports further aerial attacks on German aerodromes in Flanders. Bad weather is telling to some extent against aerial work, _ however, as well as against operations on land. In one of his latest reports biR Dougus Haig states that ten British aeroplanes are missing. It is supposed that they were destroyed riot by the action of the enemy but by stress of weather. Nine enemy riiachines were accounted for in the same period, and it is likely that tho enemy also suffered losses through bad weather which arc not known to the British coremiand.

*,* * * The New Zealanders and Australians, with other troops, were eu„aged in the latest battle. Presumabfy the New Zealanders retain the station they have occupied during the past fortnight, on the Passchendaele Ridge, north of Broodscinde, and somo distance south of the village of Passchendaele.

Tim Germans have gained something,' more than complete command of the Gulf of Riga in the successful attack by land and sea reported to-day. A Russian communique shows thilt by combined operations! in which aircraft as well as land and naval forces played a considerable part, the enemy has captured and garrisoned the islimds ol Oesel and Dago. These islands cover the mouth of the Gulf of Riga. Holdinc them, as woll as the mainland coast on the south, the Germans

are obviously in practically undisputed command of the gulf. The part played by tho onemy naval forces shows that whatever may have been tho effects of the rccent mutiny—and the reported resignation of Admiral von Oapelle is a further indication that its importance has not been overestimated—it has not yet put tho High Seas Fleet out of action as a fighting machine. Tho weakness of the Russian defence is made manifest in the Petrograd report.

Apart from their immediate importance these events have a critical bearing on the ' land campaign. The Russian report suggests that tho onemy contemplates further operations, "probably in tho direction oi Hapsal, that is to Bay against the mainland coast of Esthonia, from which he is now separated only by a comparatively narrow channel and a few small islands. In other words, the enemy is supposed to be intent on extending his operations by land and sea with & viow to turning tho northern flank of the Russian line, which now extends to the Gulf of Riga. _ In their general features tho possibilities raised may be realised by a glanoe at the map. If the Germans contrive to land in force in North-western Esthonia the Russians will bo oompelled to swing back to a line with its northern flank touching tho Gulf of Finland. This may mean a defence of Petrograd at comparatively short j'ange. About seventy miles west of the capita.! a chain of lakes extends far to the south, with only thirty miles of country between their northern extremity and the coast. This locality offers an excellent defensive line, but it could be held only if means were found of check j ing the enemy's naval force. Whether it is worth tho enemy's while to open a big campaign in Russia at this stage of tKe war, and whether his action might nob result in rousing the Russians to a spirited defenoe, are at least open questions, but Ms latest activities Buggeafc that Ijo is iWined to put these issues to tho test.