PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXX, Issue 14579, 1 June 1916, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

_he Western Front.

A Paris cable reports that the German attack against Mort Hommo and Cumieres on Tuesday was the most powerful yet attempted in this sector. The enemy used fresh divisions, which suffered appalling losses. The French withdrawal at the Bethincourt-Cu-micrcs road was of ono hundred yards only. The Germans, with a great flourish of trumpets, announce the capture of tho whole of tho French positions between tho southern ridge at Mort Homme and Cumieres, together with 1300 prisoners, a statement which is, of course, on the face of things, exaggerated. Tho latest news from the French front states that there has been fierce fighting all day and night from Mort Homme to the Mouse; For two days the Germans bombarded the French trenches east of Mort Homme and about Cumieres,-. and then made repeated concentric attacks. Everywhere the enemy was repulsed witli heavy losses. South of the . Ca.urettes Wood the. French evacuated their first line of

trenches which the bombardment, had levelled. In Alsace, east of Sept, which was the scene of heavy lighting some months ago, wig German? heavily bombarded the French positions and then attacked. They invaded the trenches, but were quickly driven out. In the Balkans. We are told in to-day's cables that tho Bulgarian concentrations aro threatening Seres, Drama and Kavala. There is undoubtedly a big struggle coming on the front east of Salonika, but the Allies view the position with equanimity. The Allies have certainly had pleutyof time in which to prepare to meet any enemy onslaught, and they should be able to give the Bulgars a warm reception. A Berlin message alleges that the Bulgarians are operating iv Macedonia in accordance with an agreement with tho Greek Government. This statement is probably correct, because Greece's attitude right through tho piece has been ono of treachery. If Greece could sco a safe way of doing it, she would aim a blow at the Allies without the slightest hesitation. The King of Greece, is too deep in tho coils of tho Huns to be able to escape from tho strands which are binding him. The whole of the Balkans operations points to the failure of Allied diplomacy. Wo havo taken too much for granted, and assumed a superior air, while the Germans wero working assiduously wit hgold and other bribes. The Balkan States never loved us, aud Greece has never really had anything to thank us for, though she is more or less indebted to the French. Great Britain was mainly responsible for keeping Turkey, tho "sick man of Europe," alive, her motive being a purely selfish one, namely, to preserve a big buffer State between Russia and the. Alediterranoan. Thus the long struggle of the Balkan States to throw off the Turkish yoke received little support from Britain. A_stro-Italia_ Front. Very heavy fighting continues on the Italian frontier, aud the .Rome messages aro again candid in connection with the operations. The Italians havo evacuated Asiago, but aro holding tho hills to the east. North of the town the Austrians are slowly advancing over mountainous country. The Italians on the wings are standing firm and are inflicting heavy punishment on the Austrians. The Italian forces are now strongly reinforced, and we may expoct to hear of the Austrian offensive gradually slackening down. Turkey in Asia, A considerable force of Turks attacked the Russians, who are marching on the enemy positions on the site of the ancient town of Nineveh, which is mi the eastern bank of the upper Tigris, opposite Mosul. The Russians routed the enemy, inflicting heavy losses. The .Russian objective is to get across the Tigris at Mosul, and this realised the fate of Baghdad is sealed, for the garrison thero will be besieged, on all sides. The Germans are placing in a strong state -of defence, but modern warfare has clearly demonstrated that it is only a question of time when artillery will, batter down any fortifications.

Once tho Russians are astride tho Tigris the siege of Baghdad will commence. From tin. north, east and south the Russians and British will close in, aud though the struggle will probably be a stubborn one the Turks will find the pressure too great, and Baghdad will go. The defeat of the Turks in Mesopotamia, wil herald the dawn of the downward course of the Turks.