PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 32, 1 November 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Little new light is thrown to-day upon the Italian retreat, but news from Jiorne to some extent discounts the pessimistic tone in which American newspapers comment on tho situation. Assuming that GknEKArj (Jadoiina has determined to fall back upon tho line of the Jtiver Tagliamento, the importance- of the oiu-my's capture of udinc junction depends on the stage readied in the retreat. Occupying Udine, the enemy cuts out two of three railways previously available to tho Italians on the front west of Gorisda and further south. But it is possible that the Italians have already retreated westward of these raifways. Ono correspondent states that tho Italian rearguards are gallantly resisting tho Austro-German advance while their comrades concentrate on the lino selected for a defensive stand. It will not be long ■before tho prospects thus indicated arc subjected to a definite test.

Taking advantage of a brief interval of fine weather, the Canadians havo mastered a further important section of the Paaschendaele Ridge, and according to Mr. Philip Gibbs, if the latest gains aro made good, almost the whole of tho ridge will be within the Allied grasp. From the enemy's standpoint tho issue raised is vital, for cast of the Passchendaelo Ridge the open Flanders Plain strotches unbrqkenly save for a, few isolated elevations. * * * *

If they have been transmitted correctly, particulars given by Silt Leo Ohiozza Money (Parliamentary Secretary to tho Shipping Control Department) of the construction of standardised ships in Great Britain show that these vessels are not yet being fumed out at anything like the rate that is likely to be attained in tho near future. As he is reported, Sin Leo Money said that live standardised ships of 6200 tons each had been completed on October 25, and that 18 would b6 completed by tho end of December. The first British standardised ship completed her final tests Snd was p.ut into commission as a cargo-carrier late in August last. In a statement mado at that time Sin Joseph Maclay (Shipping Controller) said that every yard was full of the work of constructing standardised ships. The original conception of the standardised ship, ho added, was to use as little in steel as possible, and to ensure rapid delivery. The first of tho fleet had been built in practically five months, but it was expected that similar vessels would bo. turned out in about four or four and a half months. The various types were constructed as economically as possible, and should be thoroughly officient for tho work they had to do. They were designed for quick loading and discharging, and wore plentifully supplied with winches. Some of tho ships wero specially adapted for carrying grain, bcinpr single deckers, others with twin decks would bo suitable for carrying any class of cargo._ The cnginc-r'oom was large and airy— in fact, everything about the new type of ship was of the most modern character. In designing the ships particular pains have been taken to provide comfortable quarters for the crew.

Sib Leo Money stated on the same occasion that there was no doubt that standardisation in such a period as'this gave a more productive result in shipbuilding than if the shipbuilders had merely been asked to repeat their customary, designs. The latter, doubtless, might give quicker immediate results, in some cases at least, but for such a purpose as tho authorities had in view standardisation held the field, as obviously it made possible standardisation of ship materials which would not be possiblo if shipbuilders were merely repeating their usual designs. "'This ship," Sir Leo Money added, speaking of the hrst standardised ship, "marks the first step in the great programme of shipbuilding which is designed, in combination with the great work of the Navy in its offensive against submarines, to bring us to the happy point at which our gains in new ships will compensate for losses. At the same time. America will bo similarly developing her magnificent resources, and thus we have the assurance that within a certain period tho shipping of the Allies will exhibit a pain instead of a loss, in spite of all tho efforts of an unscrupulous enemy."

The standardised ships, according to a Morning Post writer, have been designed with the idea of providing a good type of cargo-carrier, in the shortest possible time, with the minimum expenditure of material, having rogard to war conditions, which involves tho question of the speed of the ship. There are two types of vessels of eigh f - thousand tons deadweight carrying capacity. Those- aro classified "A and. B types, the first-named being singledeck ships, and the others two-deck ships. It is also intended to construct two smaller types, one known as class "0," of 5000 tons deadweight each, and class "I) " of 3000 tons deadweight. In addition, however, other types are under considerat on. "All the principal ship ; builders in the United Kingdom tho correspondent adds, are busily engaged on the construction of standardised ships, *nd while the number on hand need not be stated, the total output will be very considerable. . . . As in the case of the hull, the machinery and wigines are all standardised. This is an obvious advantage, as not infrequently it has been the experience of builders to wait some- considerable time for the installation of the machinery. Engines and machinery, of course," loud themselves more readily to standardisation than (lie fillip itself, as variations occur_ in the construction of tho vessel owing to tho different futilities in the respective yards. Special attention linn boon devoted to the important question of speed, with a view to securing the maximum number ot knots required for the service in which the. vessel is intended to trade. A feature of the general arrangements and equipment is provided in the very large hatchways, making

tho ship almost practically Bclf-trim-ming, and immensely facilitating and expediting the work of loading and discharging."