PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 42, 13 November 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

To-day's new a relating to Palestine shows the invasion so far advanced that it is possible that tho British forccs have by this time entered Jerusalem, Esdud, named as the point which Geneeal Allenby's left-wing forces had reached on Saturday last, stands near the coast, almost duo west of Jerusalem, and though the limits of tho advancc further inland are not clearly indicated, the Turks aro apparently retreating beyond tho northern branch of the Wadi Sukeroir, the last but ono of tho oross-countrv watercourses which might bo utilised as a defensive lino covering tho ancient city. If they contemplate a defensive stand on tho Wadi Surar, tho next watcrcourso to tho north, a, battlo i$ in prospect in the immediate neighbourhood of Jerusalem, which stands on a rooky plateau in the hills of Southern Palestine, close to the watershed from which tho country desoends on the west to the Mediterranean, and on tho cast to the Dead Sea. Assuming that the Turks havo fallen back on tho Wadi Surar, Bethlehem is now within the zone of British occupation. ». * # * Current news from Russia contains at least an .average proportion of contradictions, but the latest messages availablo at time of writing contain fairly definite evidence that the Bolshevik usurpation at Petrograd has either been "liquidated," as one report puts it, or is on tho point of collapse. The fact that M. Kekensky and his party havo regained control of communications in itsolf indicates that tho tide has already turned. The position seems to be that a successful rising against the Bolshevik faction hits been organised in Petrograd, while at tho same time Kerensky is advancing on tho capital at tho head of a Bmall Cossack army, and has closely approached his goal. As events are moving, Lenin's policy announcements, and reports regarding the extension of the influence of his faction in other parts of the country than Petrograd tend to loso importance, and tho restoration of the authority of the Provisional Government seems to be in clear prospect. At the moment of writing there is nothing to indicate the effect of the latest disorders on the military situation.

I A somewhat improved aspect is put upon the Italian campaign toI day. The general position disclosed is that the enemy has been checked in an attempt to strike south from tho South-Eastern Trentino and that tho Italian retreat on tho northern part of tho main front is being continued in good order. In this area the enemy lias occupied Belluno, about a dozen miles east of the Piave in its northern course. Tho Germans mention also tho capture of tho Vidor bridgehead, but a llome report shows that here, as in tho country further south, tho Italians have retired to tho west bank of tho Piavo, destroying a bridge behind them. Tho beat feature of tho news is tho ovidenco it affords that the enemy has been checked on the Trentino front. A German roport, which stated yesterday that, Asiago had been captured, appears to havo been untrue. At all events tho Italians report that Gallic, north-east of Asiago, and another advanced post in tho neighbourhood,' wero captured by the enemy, but were subsequently recovered. The capture of an enemy vanguard at Tczzo, where tho Sugana Valley debouches into Italy, is another ovidenco of an efficient Italian defenco on tho Trentino front. In its total effect tho detail news supplied to-day tends distinctly to brighten tho outlook, and this effect is heightened by reports of gallant lighting by the Italian rearguards and some instances, of AiOKflia. Eclf-£aori£cey

In a' number of reports, to which ! they add to-day, fclio_ Germans halve denied the latest British succcss oil the Flanders front, bub these reports are obviously false. As a result of_ their attack, the British have widened their foothold on the crest of the Passchondacle Ridge and driven the enemy furfchor down tho eastern slopes. These results have been achieved in most unfavourable conditions of ground iand weather, and tho ciroumstances suggest that Sin Douglas Haig intends to vigorously press the offonsivo during the winter.