PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Nelson Evening Mail, 17 November 1916, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

THE Britisn advance northward of the Ancre continues. All reports go to show that the success is important, both for the gro;::id gained and the losses inflicted on the enemy, who. though taken hy surprise in the mist before daylight and hurriedly driven from the front trenches, put up a stubborn, fight in the supporting trenches. The fact that the advance has been, made i;i such country with such results and at such slight cost indicates the growing superiority of the Allies. Following on the French success at Verdun, where the Germans, a.fter being sharply warned, were unable to hold ground they shed blood so freely to secure, the Ancre advance is proof conclusive that the German line is not securely held. This gives strong support to the theory that the enemy is finding his powers taxed to the utmost. So long as the front can no reasonably held Germany is secure.'but the moment it begins'to crumple events may follow quick - lv.

It is pretty clear that the first German attempt to break right through the Transylvaniau Passes—they are into Roumanian territory in some places—having failed, Falkenhayn has. been strongly reinforced for greater effort. So far .-!?■ can beseen, enemy pressure seems to be concentrated in the Predeal Pass. Sanguinary fighting has heen proceeding in this area for some time, and though the Roumanians are sorely tried, they are still able to hold back their enemies. The Moldavian defences have held out securely, and the enemy is concentrating, in Wajlachia. The Russians in Moldavia may be able, to capture the jiasses in this region, and thus once again, threaten Austria-Hungary, and they also would compel Falkenhayn to withdraw from Roumania further south, and at the same time, separate Bolhmer's' forces from their base of supply. If successful this would mean the turning of the whole Austro-German position in Galicia. Falkenhayn, according to to-.day's cables, is using Germans from Dvinsk' in , the Jittl Valley. While the Roumanian position is critical, that of the Germans is by no means pleasant for them. , and such -withdrawals from the north, it* con-: tinned, will present the possibility of Russia recovering her Baltic provinces.

Frequently of late the cables ..have told of water and air" attacks-on Zee'bnigge. It was-first bombarded- nearly two- years ago by the Belgian coaj-tu! fleet, then under Admiral ija_\>:!. . : a:,d his successor, Admiral flood;, hf.s bv'.'h'c-' means left it alone. The place is. eeedingly useful to the ehemv as a baVe for submarines and Zeppelins as well as destroyers, end we have even been told of warships fleeing to its sheltered ■waters. The smaller submarines and destroyers are supposed to be: -\}ui round to Zeebrugge through the Belgian canal system, after having been puttogether at Antwerp, thouga some mayj dodging tbe Butch guards, get out and round through the mouth of the Scheldt. Attacks on Zeehrugge from the sea have been rendered difficult 'by the mounting of. big guns "among the coastal sand dunes, and no doubt there are plenty of anti-aircraft guns to keep .off the Allies' bomb-droppers. ■

Gigantic efforts are to be made in Germany to turn the country into a colossal munitions factory. Threatened with defeat- in. the field unless something turns up. Germans :;re now taking heart in what they will T.e able to accomplish by way of the mobilisation of the whole civilian population for war work of various kinds. The Germans,' it is safe to assert, will leave no stone unturned in " their endeavours to avert defeat; the possibility of which they openly admit. In tin's industrial organisation Germany is showing a truly patriotic-spirit'-which is to be commended. Already Britain has had to follow her example in the way of national economy, and according to- Oolone! Repington these new measures in Germany call for similar effort on the r,;rt of Britain "if we want to end the. war." In one sense it is an admission of weakness that Germany has to resort to these .methods: but nnless the Allies maintain their superiority, Germany's efforts will have been amply justified.

In new of the repeated : reports of the submarining of British steamers, it is reassuring to hear from the Sectary' to the Admiralty .that out of the total British merchant tonnage of over 1000 tans Ave had lost to 13th September only slightly over 21 per cent. The loss is therefore not serious, although, it is bad enough, for it is- going on all the- time. But German efforts have been concentrated against neutrals.as well, and their losses affect Britain also. A cable some little time ago suggested that Germany's object in decimating Norway's shipping is part of a deliberate policy which', includes the using np of as much as possible of the resources of the captured French. Belgian, and Polish territories in onle rio give the German shippers 3 !i.-l manufacturers- a Hying start when the war ends. But this is dependent- on Germany winning the war. There is a strong movement in Britain —the Government cannot be drawn on the mattor for the question will have to be decided jointly by the Allies—for the exaction in the peace terms of a ton of German shipping for every, ton of Allied, or neutral shipping sunk contrary to the laws of nations. The' British Navy has an enormous task in countering Germany's submarine ..activity and long--distance blockading, but there is no reason to doubt- the Navy's power to keep tbe enemv in check.