PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 56, 29 November 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Out of- the confusing mixturo of news from Russia the fact now stands clear that matters have reached such a state at Petrograd that German Staff officers can visit the capital unmolested, probably by invitation. This is official news, and as such ran bo accepted a s being correct. What it will mean ultimately can only be guessed at, but; it ia plain that tho controlling influences at work at. Petrograd are drifting into closer touch withi Uvmany. This is admittedly bad tidings, and though it hardly comes as a surprise is none the less unwelcome. It is true that Petrograd docs not mean Russia, and certainly never less than it does to-day. The most probable outcome ot trio chaotic conditions in Russia plainly is the disintegration of the Empire. The Literary THgat of October 20 contains a number of extracts from the Russian Press which indicate clearly enough the drift of events so far as they could bo judged a month or two back, and the greatest fear of tho Leninites at that time was the defeat of their plans by the splitting up of the Empire-a fear which must have been accentuated during tho period which has since elapsed. The Provisional Government had first to face the formidable secessionist movement from Finland, closely followed by that from the Ukraine. This movement spread to Siberia; there was open revolt in Turkestan, and all over the country minor movements towards tho creation of independent States have taken place. "A dozen Republics, not one, may come about in Russia," remarks one commentator. ...

No one appears to believe that tho Provisional Government at fetrograd can hope to hold tho Empire together or to exercise authority bcvond a limited range of territory. Germany would seem to have succeeded in getting on intimate terms with tho Provisional Government and wo may hear any day of an armistice having been arranged between the two nations, or even ol a patched-up peace But such an armistice or such a peace, will bo between the Governments of the- two countries and not with the people of Russia. This does not mean that the Russians will po on fightinß Germany, but it will- moan that Germany will require to still maintain considerable forces on tho Jiast front to meet possible- contingencies. This is perhaps tho best we can hope for. Even should the present Provisional Government be _ overthrown the prospect of Russia assisting farther in the struggle seems to bo beyond the range of. practical possibilities. Unless Germany makes a colossal blunder in seeking to dictate terms or to impose conditions of government on Iho Russian people there is little likelihood of the nation uniting arahi with the common object of resisting the invader of Russian soil. To-day's news from Italy tends to further improve the outlook in that theatre. In epile of the enemy s ■unsparing efforts, tho. Italians are at all points maintaining the heroic resistance which promises to set a final limit to the enemy s success, and it is shown also that the A lied reinforcements, though they havo not yet participated in the struggle, are advancing steadily, and in such strength as to ensure that their aid will bo effectual. An official report mentions tho defeat of powerful enemy attacks, not only in the mountain area, but in the low country through which the l'iavo runs to tho sea. There now seems to be every prospect that the Austro-German attempt to break into the Venetian Plain west of the Piavo will fail. Such winter conditions as havo in the past heavily impeded their efforts are now standing the Italians in good stead It is remarked by Mw. Waiiij Prick that the noxt few weeks will bo a period of reorganisation for both

sides, but it is fairly certain that an interval for reorganisation and the introduction of reinforcements will lie greatly to the advantage of the Italians, and that thu enemy, if he resumes the attack after such an interval, will do so in much less favourable circumstances than have obtained during the last week or two What the outcome will he depends larßeljc on the policy, adopted b> the Allies, but it is obvious that if. the enemy attempts to hold his cround on the Italian plain he will have to employ much heavier forces than when he was established in the high country beyond the leonzo.

A ute message shows that the British arc vigorously prosecuting their attack on the positions west of Cambrai and on tho flank of! an important section of the Hindenbuw line which the enemy is tenSiAv defending. Appreciable Sis is implicd'in SIR DOTIOMB Es statement that the line has been advanced in this area and five hundred prisoners taken.