PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 159, 25 March 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Thu enemy attack on the British front in France raises questions which do not relate only to tho Western theatre. For many weeks speculation has obtained as to whether tho Germans would stake their remaining resources upon an attempt to crush tho Western Allies or would prefer aggressive action in other theatres. Such questions now seem to bo answered. Certitude on tho point would perhaps be premafcuro, but if Germany is in fact committed to the policy which her present offensive suggests, a German supported offensive- against Italy must be regarded as unlikely. So with tho Balkans. Engaged in a decisivo conflict in tho Western theatre Germany is not likely to divert any great body of strength to assist her allies in the Macedonian theatre. It, of course, remains possible that the Austrians may attack Italy unsupported, and that the Austrians and Bulgarians may undertake an offensive in Macedonia. But the danger has hitherto been in sight that Germany might profit by tho defensive stand temporarily taken by the Western Allies to concentrate formidably in these theatres, where factors of communiration would make it much more difficult to meet her onslaught. An onemy offensive on the West, which is likely to bo welcomed by the Allies on larger grounds, should

tend also to relieve some anxieties in regard both to Italy and the Balkans.

At time of writing the actual position reached on the battlel'ront is still in doubt, but the later reports make it clearer than ever that the enemy was firmly and gallantly met, and that in somo places ground was not evacuated under pressure of attack, but in pursuance of a, deliberate plan. In regard to the northern part of the battlcfront it is plain that the enemy has recovered what remained of tho area gained west of Carabrai in tho November offensive, together with Bullecourt and some ground on north and south. But just how far he has penetrated wost of these areas is at the- moment not disclosed. Neither are there explicit particulars of the' retirement in the south (west of St. Quentin).

Ax allegedly official report declares that Paris is being shelled by a long-range gun, variously described as of 240 and 340 millimetres calibre (respectively under 10 inches and about 14 Since tho enemy is nowhere within 60 miles of Paris the story as it stands is quite incredible. Mr. Philip GiBBS mentions that Gorman longrange naval guns bombarded places 28 miles behind the British front. This no doubt- represents the extreme possibility in bombardment, and it has no doubt given rise to the story about the bombardment of Paris. " If the French capital has been bombarded no doubt tho missiles were dropped by aircraft. * ft * *

An Admiralty communication published on Saturday stated that British and foreign losse3 of shipping to the end of last year totalled 10,829,000 tons, against which there was to be set replacements by new construction of 6,631,000 tons and 2,580,000 tons of captured enemy shipping. It is now cabled that tho British Embassy at Washington lias announced that since tho war began the Allies' loss of shipping ie 11,827,572 tons. The difference of a, million tons here shown perhaps moans that the Admiralty figures relate only to submarine losses, while those issued by tho Washington Embassy include losses due to tho operations of surface-raiders and to other war factors. It is evident that the Embassy figures relate to tho same period as thoEe issued by the Admiralty and to both Allied and neutral losses, for tho figures of new construction are practically the same in both cases.