PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 38, 8 November 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Not many details are available at tho moment of writing in regard to the latest British attack in Flanders, but it seems to have achieved important results. An unofficial report indicates that tho crest of the Passchendaelo Ridge has been mastered northward of Passchendaele village. Precisely how far the attack has developed is not, however, as yet disclosed, although one correspondent states that the result of the day's fighting has been to vastly improve tho whole situation around Yprcs. He mentions that the railway junction of Roulcrs, five miles behind the enemy front, is now under constant bombardment. The Germans speak in non-commit-tal terms of fighting round Passchcndaclo, but claim that they repulsed heavy attacks on Ghcluvclfc, a point on tho strategically important road which runs south-east from Ypres to Menifl. It is likely enough that they are following their customary practice of alleging a ba.ttlo and a success at ono point in order to minimise their dofcat_elsewhere. At all events tho extension of the British attacks on the Passchendacle Ridgo increasingly threatens the enemy's hold on tho Ypres-Menin road, as well as his hold on the Belgian coast. * # * « F wither messages show that the latest achievement of the British armies is in fact of the first importance. The Canadians ha-ve captured Passcliendaelo village and a spur extending to the north on which stand two smaller villages. As a whole the defences thus conquered wore certainly as formidable as engineering art could make them, a.nd their reduction will enhance the brilliant record and. reputation of the Canadian troops. The success won is acclaimed by Mr. Philip Giuus as a culminating achievement in the task of mastering the high ground from which tho Germans formerly looked down on Britieh lines running through swamps and flats. Thie is probably not an exaggerated view. The Germans still hold some high ground north and south of tho area of their latest defeat, and the Forest of Houthiilst, west of tho Passchendaelo llidge, affords them useful cover on a critical section cf their line. But the section of tho Passchondaele Ridge from which" they have been dislodged constituted tho keystone of their defensive organisation, and the further achievement of driving tKem everywhere into tho plain is only a matter of time.

Tub British stroke in Fk/idera gives point to opinions said to bo current in Germany that the enemy's success in Italy does not balance his reverses in tho AVestern theatro; also that the masses of guns employed in Italy would ho more useful on tho West front. Whether or not these opinions have been expressed in Germany, tho questions raised arc certainly of commanding importance. Since last year Hie enemy has suffered a long succession of unrelieved disasters in the Western theatro. At all vital points he has been cast out of strong and advantageous positions, with tho result that an ever-increasing drain is imposed upon his reserves. Development on these lines has nowhero been more pronounced than in Flanders, but the same general conditions hold good of all the most important sections of the Western front. With his affairs in this state in the decisive theatro of war, _it is evident that tho enemy will gain at most partial and temporary relief by anything he may accomplish in other theatres.

Reports from Italy to-day embody some disturbing features, but in their total effect aro inconclusive. It will bo noticed that accounts of tho situation transmitted by correspondents arc in some respects at variance. Ono message states that largo zones consolidated for defence havo been abandoned, but another declares that tho general Italian retirement continues in complete order, and is working to timetable. The one point _ clearly brought out is that the Italians are falling back from the Tagliamento and are meantime evading a general battle. The reports which lay most emphasis upon the weakness of the Italian resistance mako it evident that the conditions of a general engagement havo not yet been approached. Though French and British reinforcements have cntered'ltaly there is no word yet of their active participation.

The closer, union of America and Japan disclosed in to-day messages may prove to have a not unimportant effect on futuro developments in the war as well as in thq diplomatic and commercial relations of tho two nations chiefly concerned. As is pointed out by Me. Lansing, the poisonous influence of German intrigue has played an important part in promoting distrust and suspicion between America and Japan, and there can bo little doubt that the attitude and actions of each of the two nations in connection with the present world struggle have not been wholly uninfluenced by tho possibility of misunderstanding on tho part of one or the other. Japan especially has known that America has been severely critical of her actions in the Pacific as well as in the East, and tho agreement now arrived at should free the hands of both countries in directions beneficial to the cause of the Powers arrayed against Germany. In the course of his reply to the address of welcome- tendered to the Japanese mission to America, Viscount Ishii, head of the mission, made a. stirring referenco to tho war: "SincD our arrival in America," he said, "we have not only been impressed but compressed by the gigantic measure of your resources and your preparations to stop tho war by providing tho only means by which it can lw stopped—tho complete* utter physical defeat and humiliation of Germany. But I assure you wo are with you as your allies, your comrades, and your partners in Hie winning of this war, which means so much to all tho world. You will ho satisfied that Japan has done, is doing, and will do her shnro in such manner as to justify her in claiming a place in tho company of honest men." That Japan has played a valuable part in the war we in New Zealand know; that she, is capable of playing a still greater part is equally clear. With Russia, temporarily, at loastj incapacitated, |

Italy Hard pressed, the time appears to have arrived for all the assistance that Japan can give. And it is no wild speculation to suggest that the agreement reached between the United States and Japan recorded in to-day's cable- messages may mark the beginning of a new and active war policy on the part of our Ally in the East which will result in a further accession to the lighting forces of the Allies.