PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 257, 18 July 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

No battle on its scale has shown as little detail development in a given time as the tremendous struggle now in progress in France, and since the Allies- are on tho defensive, the absence of free movement is obviously one of the most promising feature-, of the situation. According to the latest reports in hand the enemy is fiercely renewing his attacks along a great part of the front between the Manic and the Argonne, but has added little to his very limited gains of territory. As information stands tho enemy has broadened his front on the Marne by about half a dozen miles, reaching and passing tho river at Chatil-lon-sur-Marne, about 18 miles east of Chateau Thierry. Between the Marne and Reims he lias pushed forward a maximum dist&nco of four miles. East of Reims his gains have been much smaller, while there is ample cvidencc of his enormous losses in his abortive initial onslaught, there is nothing to show that lie has made a serious impression on any section of the Allied front. * # * « The fact that he has somewhat extended his front on the Marno and is across the river for a part of the distance may at first sight seem inconsistent with the view that the essential Allied defences are everywhere intact, but the truth seems to be that tho Allies preferred a defensive stand in some places south of the river to an attempt to keep tho river between them and the enemy. A French communique just received mentions that the enemy is firmly held south of the Marne and has' lost a thousand men as prisoners. This is in addition to somo 1500 Germans captured by the Americans towards the western extremity of the river front. Granted a. continued pressure of enemy attack tli» Allies will no doubt find it necessary to yield ground at some points, but thus far their defence has been successful in a degree which probably exceeds tho most hopeful anticipations formed as the battle opened. 1 * * * * Suggestions are still current, though they seem to be losing favour to some extent, that failing direct success in his present offensive the enemy may attempt to turn it to account as a diversion. It is suggested. that is to say. that the concentration of Allied reserves in the present battle zone may give him an opportunity by which he is perhaps capable of profiting of launching >in attack in the Amiens sector or iarther north. Meantime, however, tho enemy is incurring ruinous Josses without appreciably approaching the objects he has set before him in the battle now under way. He has drawn heavily upon the reserves lately allotted to his northern front, and 'the British armies facing him on that, front have not yet taken any part in the battle. In these circumstances the "holding battles" on the northern front which are predicted by one correspondent seem as likely to arise at the initiative of the Allies as at that of tho enemy.' ft * * H A surprising feature of reports thus far received is the absence of reference to the work of the aircraft which) are presumably playing a great part on this occasion as in earlier battles of tho campaign. No doubt, however, the Allied superiority in the air has much to do. with the markedly improved conditions disclosed in the present battle. Good aerial observation, of course, accounts very largely for the successful penetration of the enemy's plans, and it may bo taken for granted that with such a battle under way. and with good weather to favour their activities tho Allied airmen arc making tho most of their opportunites. ■