PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 50, 22 November 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A rising intensity of battle is reported in Italy, but tho situation has not yet taken a definite turn. On the high country of the Asiago Plateau the Italians are counterattacking and making somo headway, but a critical struggle continues further cast, near tho point at which tho front leaves the high country for the plain, and a great battle is anticipated on the Piave line, that is to say, on tho whole front between tho mountains and the sea. Tho Grappa massif, mentioned in the reports, lies cast of the Asiago Plateau, and immediately west of the Piave, at a distance of a little more than forty miles inland from tho coast. In'itself the Grappa massif is a strong barrier lending itself to defence, but if it were once conoiuered tho enemy would gain an entrance to the plains west of the Piave. He lias been attacking heavily, with this object in viow,_ for several days past, but the position reached on this particular section of the front is not disclosed in its details at time of writing.

Heavy enemy reinforcements are being introduced, but according to one report it is believed that Allied troops are now taking their place in the Italian line and the larger possibilities of the campaign remain opon. The most promising ftLct .in sight is that the Italians are now fighting with a gallantry and determination worthy of their splendid achievements in the days before the retreat. Much is to be hoped from armies which rally m this fashion in face of a powerful enemy, after suffering terrible disasters. The possibility is mentioned that a further retreat may be unavoidable, but a further retreat would not necessarily moan that the AustroGermans were destined to gain their ends in Italy. Assuming that Allied reinforcements are available which will presently enable the Italians to definitely stem the enemy invasion, it has yet to be seen in what manner this additional strength will be brought to bear. _ Various_ possibilities appear in this connection. Possessing command of the sea, the Allies might attempt a landing with a view to taking the enemy in rear or tlicy might deliberately lUiultu*take a further retirement in the hope of placing the enemy at a disadvantage. It is not unlikely, how-

ever, that the obvious plan will bo preferred of throwing the FrancoBritish troops into tho Italian lino as it is at present located. Unless lie can break this line the enemy's gains in Italy will bo represented by tho prisoners and material he_ has captured and tho losses of all kinds ho has inflicted on the Italians. Bo far as position is concerned, tho present location of Ins armies in Italv offers no strategic advantage which is not heavily counterbalanced.

Reports from Palestine tell at the moment of no advance north Jaffa hlong the Plain of Sharon, but infantry and mounted troops are closing in on Jerusalem. The city is now so encompassed that it is unlikely that the Turks will attempt to seriously dispute the British advance.

... • Some very encouraging facts relating to' tho submarine campaign are supplied in the nows to-day. In his latest speech Mb. Lloyd George declared that he had no further fear of submarines, and added, almost) casually, "On Saturday wo destroyed five of these pests.' As a detail indication of the efficiency and success of tlio naval countcioffensive this is satisfying. Mora comprehensive cvidenccl pointing to tho failure of tho under-water craft comes from General Pershing. Ho is quoted to-day as stating that owing to the efficient protection of the British, French, and American navies the submarines had not inflicted a single casualty among the American troops bound from _ the United States to France. This is to bo read with tho fact in mind that it is a'supremely important object with Germany to hamper in every possible way the transport of soldiers and war material from the "United States. Her total failure in this enterprise to date is certainly not duo to lack of effort, nor is it duo to lack of targets. By this time a considerable body of troops and a very large amount of »var material must have reached' France from tho United States, and it is stated that further contingents are arriving daily.