PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 245, 4 July 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

So far as the war on land is concerned big events are still awaited in the Western theatre, but it is noteworthy that a Eeuter correspondent states to-day that it is beyond doubt that the Austrian defeat has disorganised the German schemes. The same correspondent instances the difficulty of concentrating material on ground far in advance- of serviceable railways, but he is careful to add that {hough the coming blow is awaited with confidence, _ the next three months will bo critical. This is probably a very good summary of existing conditions and of the outlook at the present stage. The Austrian defeat has obviously disorganised German schemes to the extent of depriving Germany of the advantages and benefits of a powerful diversion in her favour. It has yet to be Men how far the results will extend in compelling her to reduce her effeo Live strength in the Western tlieat ,, in order to support and assist Austria. Evcnj however, if it be assumed that Germany's prospects are steadily waning the position is still critical from the Allied standpoint. Excluding the possibility of their being overwhelmed, it is only less vital that they should avert any such damaging defeat as would seriously impede the development of their offensive next year. Probably their position is critical chiefly because the policy of dcforring decisive action until (.Ivy have established a considerable superiority entails taking risks meantime that arc far from negligible.

To-day's news from Italy is mainly confirmatory of the nutuble success lately won by the Italians on the mountain front. On the Asiago Plateau they have completely re-established the positions tb*y occupied when the Austrian offea-

sive opened in June, and in addition have gained a better command than they' then enjoyed over the Frenzela Valley. They have thus done something to pave the way for an attack on Mont Meletta, which is now the backbone of the Austrian defence in this region. It is also reported to-day that, important ground has been gained on the Grappa sector and 500 prisoners taken.

A return professing to give accurate particulars oE the Allied prisoners taken and artillery captured since the enemy offensive opened on March 21 has been issued by the Gorman authorities and appears in one of to-day's messages. No comprehensive particulars have been supplied from Allied source by which the claims in reaard t» prisoners could bo checked, but an idea of what the return as a whole is worth may be gained from the fact that the British Minister of . Munitions (Mr. Winston Churchill) stated some time ago that in reference to the first live weeks o£ the offensive! the period in which they made their heaviest captures on the British front, the Germans claimed to have captured twice as many guns as were in fact lost. With this definite though incomplete evidence to go upon it is fairly safe to conclude that the return as a whole is grossly exaggerated. * * * *

On behalf of British seamen. Mr. Havelock Wilson has announced that in consequence of Germany's latest crime—the sinking of the Llandovery Castle—the period of maritime boycott of that country after the war will be extended to six years. The linesupon which it is proposed to organise the boycott were explained, by Mr. Wilson in a statement made in May. It could not be too widely known, he, said, that British seamen were_ in deadly earnest in their determination to apply the punitive boycott to Germany after the .war,'a- boycott which would take the form of refusing to have anything to do with the transport of goods to or froiv Germany. "If," he continued, "there arc people at home foolish enough to think that this penalty will not be exacted to the uttermost. Lean assure them that I havo most positive proof in ray possession that the commercial folk , in Germany arc living in no such fool's paradise." After explaining that the Merchant Seamen's League, which was rapidly enrolling members in all parts of the country, was prepared to take political action if necessary, Mn. Wilson observed that: "We do not want Parliament to interfere. We want this thins to be carried through by the people." Asked how it was proposed to carry out the boycott policy after the war without' the sanction of Parliament, he answered: "Easily enough. No man can be compelled to work for any particular firm, or buy from any one shop: nor can our members be made to work for firms that deal with Germany, if they make up their minds not to do bo. Our. league, as well as our union, is in this business to the last man. Masters and officers are with us in hearty unanimity, and it would be interesting to know whero the owncs-j-evep if they wished to do s;o, which is a far-fetched assumption—are to get their seamen to handle stuff in any way connected with Germany, seeing that there is not n .'nan in the service who will be a, party to such work."