PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 37, 7 November 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The terms of the armistice with Austria as they are outlined in a Press Bureau communication large : ly speak for themselves, and obviously are tantamount to unconditional surrender. Apart from the express provisions relating to disarmament, Austria is required to resign to Allied occupation tho mountain passes of the North-western Tyrol, the whole area of tho Trentino, a considerable tract of mountain country east of the Isonzo, and the whole of Istria and Dalmatia. The territories long known as unredeemed Italy arc redeemed, and the whole Allied world will echo the enthusiastio congratulations with which Mr. Lloyd ■ George and President Wilson have signalised the event.' It is an important point that tho Allies reserve the fullest possible freedom to make use of Austro-Hungarian territory and all its roads, railways, waterways, etc., in developing operations against Germany. **" * *

Germany's effusive- recognition of free Bohemia, which was mentioned in one of yesterday's messages, can only bo taken to mean that she can think of nothing better to do. As an example of shameless hypocrisy her action on this occasion is in a class by itself. She bears a heavy load of guilt in'connection with tho oppression and maltreatment of all the races which until lately wero subject to Austro-Hungarian misrule, and her record is nowhere darker than in regard to the past treatment of the Czechs.. As a consequence the Czechs havo been and are even more definitely anti-Gor-man than anti-Austrian, and there is not the slightest doubt .that they

will shape their policy accordingly. Even when they were isolated in the heart of Middle Europe they found means to contribute to the Allied strength. They are well awaro that Germany is their arch-enemy, and that given the opportunity she would hasten to deprive them of their new-won independence. Her present protestations of friendly regard are completely accounted for by the fact that Bohemia is admirably situated as a base for attack upon German territories, including Prussia, by land and air. * * * «

Bad weather is reported in the Western theatre,but battles are being fought which promise, as one commentator observes, to develop into the most stupendous conflict of tho war. The Allies are developing formidable attacks along a considerable part of the- front from Flanders to the Meuso, and the greatest issues are at stake. The enemy is still far removed from a safe line on his northern front, but under the conditions created by the Allies his retreat is everywhere being made under the worst conditions, and the plight of- his armies is every day becoming more desperate. To-day's reports show that, apart from an advance to Ghent, the British aro rapidly breaking through the Mormal Forest and other defences covering the enemy's main communications in the region of Mons and Maubeuge. The French are driving forward between the Oisc and the Aisne, and further east the Americans are making phenomenal progress in an ■ advance , which most dangerously of all the operations now afoot threatens tho enemy's vital communications. The Americans aro now within eight miles of Montmedy junction, an important centre on tho lateral railway behind the German front, but they are only four miles distant from this railway where it runs north-west from Montmedy. They arc already crossing the Meusc further south, and in spite of tho difficult nature of the country their advance beyond the Mouse seems : likely to extend rapidly. In effect they are fastening a stranglehold on the enemy's communications and seriously narrowing his avenues of escape from the northern front, on which, as has been said, he is still far to the westward of positions that could be regarded as approximating to a safe defensive line. Tho Allied operations as a whole dovetail admirably together, and confront the enemy with problems of defence and retreat which ho may well find insoluble.