A WEEK OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 290, 27 August 1918, Page 5

A WEEK OF THE WAR

TWO OFFENSIVES COMPARED

" WE HAVE LITTLE TO LEARN FROM THE ENEMY"

FOOD ECONOMY A FACTOR

IN VICTORY

The following is the weekly review of the war situation forwarded to Iho Acting Prime Minister hy tho Ministry of Information:—

Some people make invidious comparisons as to the extent of the German offensive of March 21 compared with the Anglo-French attack on the Somrae front of August 8. This shows a serious misunderstanding. Why the Germans were able to advance more than thirty miles in one week was because they' had overwhelming numbers, amounting to three to one. with very large reserves available to continue the advance after the initial assault had broken our lines. Our attack of August 8 was on a much smaller scale, and tho Allied superiority on the actual front was not nearly equal to that of tho Germans on March 21, while the available reserves were not superior to those with which the enemy could resist. In spite of these- disadvantages, thn Allies on August 3 advanced nearly half the distance of the Germans on March 21 on a frontage much less than half of that covered by the German attack, and accomplished it in spite of strong German reserves, and with fewer casualties during the wliole operation than the number of German prisoners taken, whereas tho German casualties on March 21 were- exceedingly heavy. We now have little to learn therefore, in tactical method from the enemy, and 'ie was again completely surprised both by the attack of the' Tenth French Army between tho Oise and the Aisne and by that of the Third British Army south of Arras, which speaks volumes for the present tactical method and efficiency of the staff work. It is still too early to foretell what effect the advance between the Aisne'" and the Oise will make on the situation, but it evidently seriously threatens the enemy positions north of tho Aisne,'and if continued will outflank the entire enemy line on tho Veslo, besides threatening tho line west, of tho Oise. Tho total number of prisoners taken in tho three days, July 18 to 20, was more than ten thousand.

North of the Soinnie, the enemy continues gradually retiring from the Serre salient, and our troops havo now advanced, to practically tho Albert-Arras railway. This position threatens the right flank of enemy lino on the Ancre' and the important Thiepval Ridge, which is df great strength. This ro-cently-ehown desiro of the enemy to withdraw from salients and straighten his front may forebode, a more extended withdrawal, liko that of last year to the Hindonburg lino. There is no ovidenco as yet of this, but tha heavy German losses and the present serious shortage of men make such a retirement not improbable. Nothing happens in Italy, but it is worthy of note that the Austrian losses on the British front in Italy from June 15 to August 15 are estimated at 20,200, whereas tho British casualties were only 2544. The War in tho Air. Air-fighting was less intense this wcelc. There was a temporary concentration of large German air forces in the Amiens sector, operating at a considerable height, but notwithstanding this there was no slackening of the activities of British airmen, and a heavy toll of German machines was taken at a relatively slight cost. Successful bombing operations wcro carried cut , in Flanders, Belgium, and over Germany. There was continuous series of raids on Zcobrugge, Bruges, Ostend, Middolkerke, Westendo, and the coastal area. Over 32 tons of bombs were dropped, and many direct hits were obtained and resulted in fires, the observation of which was, confirmed by photographs. At tho Varssenaere aerodromo six machines were set on fire and one hanpjir was demolished. During the air fighting here thirteen enemy machines were destroyed and eleven wore driven down; and four British machines were reported missing. Tho Roj'al Air Force Independent Forco successfully carried out bombing raids into Germany, and attacked stations and sidings at Thionvillc, Off enburg, Sarrcbourg, and Mannboim, enemy aerodromes at Boulay, Frihdorf, Buhl, and Morhange, and the blast furnaces at Volkingin. During the heavy air fighting, four onemy machines were destroyed, and two were driven down. Forty-four British machines failed to return. On the British sector of the Western land front British airmen destroyed during the week 100 enemy machines, while 3S wero driveu down. Fourty-four British machines wero reported missing. An immense amount oti photographic reconnaissance and counter-battery work was carried out. No sonsational achievements wero reported from the Italian, Balkan, and Palestine frouts, but tho Britisli <iirmoii were busy throughout tho ffoek. They dropped a considerable weight of bombs, destroyed five enemy maoliinos, and drove dbwn eight.

Food Economy. Mr. Hoover before going back to America expressed satisfaction with the results of the conferences of tho Allied Food Controllers. "The great transportation problem within the next year," he said, "is to move sufficient American troops to Europe to give an nvorjwwering strength against any forces the Germans may bo able to bring to boar. In order to accomplish this, economy in consumption is imperative, in all the Allied cotmtrjes. Oil the other hand, tho danger of privation has now passed. In tho United States wo need to oxerciso continued rigid , economy in consumption, so that we may meet the increased demands from Europe and enable us to carry over from this more abundant harvest year a stock of foodstuffs to form a iwsitivo insurance against possible climatic eventualities next harvest." Most excellent weather nicotinics hope of the fulfilment of tho Allied decision, to maintain the unralionod distribution of coreiils. Enforced reliance upon Home supplies of meat will compel a further reduction in the meat ration,' while the increased cost will necessitate an increase in the price of it. Tho problem n( providing additional feeding stuffs continues" to, bo urgent. Luckily supplies of North American bacon will prevent any real privation. The Coal Situation. Great Britain's rigid rationing of coal for domestic consumption and nonessential industries gives ,yet another instance of the fiaerifire to which she cheerfully submits in order to meet the heavy demands of the military needo of the Allies. The French Prime Minister and Marshal Foch havo just paid a noble tribute to the work of British coal minors, urging them to yet more strenuous efforts, since coal is as essential to victory as men and munitions. Feeling in Germany, The military reverses have produced great disappointment in German political circles. Some newspapers point

out how they coincide with the appointment of von Uintzo ds Foreign Cliiincellor. Thn Reichstag was not consulted, hut that part of the. German Press of more liberal sentiment says that it is merely a ease of iho devil being sick nnd wanting to turn monk. The Polish question, which has for a long time hung up Gorman policy, was recently reported to ho way si solution. Austria- wanted a union of Jlussinn nnd Austrian Poland as part of iho Aus-tro-Hungarian Empire, wb'le Germany was anxious to keep the. triple division of Poland, so that German Poland should not ho the- only unredeemed territory. 'Clio KUEgesUvl coMiprTiiise now to the foro is that the Archduke Karl Stephen be made King of Poland in close connection with Germany, with territory which might include parts of White ihissia. whero there are big landed estates owned by Poles, though tho population is I'usshn. But this kingdom would contain none of the proson t Austrian or German Poland. Moreover, such an artificial now Poi.i'id must rely on Germany for protection against the universal Kussi.ii: indignation. This compromise would give the Ocnna.ii policy almost all it v.an'.s, hut it is still uncertain whether Austria will acquiesce.

Russia more nnd more realises the humiliation of tW< _ Rrest-Litovr-k Treaty, and strong anti-Geivnan feelinp; is becoming strwigpr. Tho German Embassy is reported to kve fled from Moscow, protected by German soldiers disguised in. Russian uniforms. It found Petrograd in the hands of bitterlv hostile social revolutionaries, and being unable to travel to Pskov w;lk compelled W go via fle.lsingfors and E'oval.

The unexpected arrival of British troops at Baku gives a fresh revelation of British resource, and ;.dds a largo factor to the many Eastern problems which Germany and Turkey must solve betwoen them, none the more easily since each is on the worst terms with Iho other, and both are on bnd terms with Bulgaria.