The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-23
WAR EVENTS OF THE WEEK
By EDWARD G. MACKAY

The continuation of the allied offensive or all fronts is the outstanding feature of the war for the week. Furious artil- lery and infantry fighting was reported daily from both east and vest with steady gains for theallies in both thea tres. The Germans and Austrians have been forced everywhere to take the de- fensive, and there can be little further doubt that the tide of war has definitely turned in favor of the forces of the entente. Counter attacks of great fury especially against the British, have failed to permanently check the advance; and the close of the third week of the general offensive finds the artillery of the French and British sweeping the third line defenses in the west. while the Russians are threatening Galicia and Hungary in the east,
 Heretofore, the German general staff has been able to meet every emergency by the use of the great system of stra- tegic railways which connect the various theatres of action. Troops could readily be sent to strengthen any point where pressure was increasing; for interior lines of communication are safe, short and readily available. But the concentric at tack which the allies are now deliver ing has robbed the Teutons of pract,- cally all the advantage of their interior position. Each army must rely upon its own resources to hold off the enemy. and should these resources fail at any point inevitable disaster would result How long the fighting will continue Tn, the present stage is a matter of pure conjecture. It may take a year of steady hammering and slow progress. similar to that before Verdun, before a decisive victory is won; but some unforeseen mili- tary or economic condition may arise which will preciptate a crisis and bring a speedy decision to the conflict.
 The Russian armies are continuing their successful operations Tn Galicia their extreme southern line of advance now follows closely the ridge of the Car pathians and fighting is actually taking place at the entrance of the passes. A further retreat of the Teutons here will put Lemberg in jeopardy. In this region the overflow of the Dnester has flooded large areas and has interfered with mill itary operations. Further to the north in the region of Novel and Baranovichi, fierce fighting has been of daily occur renee. Petrograd early in the week re- ported the capture of some Is, 900 prisoners apd many guns, and later the repulsing of heavy counter attacks which have checked the Russian advance for the time being. No material change has occurred in the vicinity of Riga, though fighting has been taking place there also. In the Caucasus the Russian right wing has advanced, capturing and advancing beyond Baiburt, and taking many pris- oners and a few guns. There is still no evidence of the Russian. offensive losing its vigor, and within very short time startling developments may be looked for in the east
 Since the beginning of the Anglo French offensive, French troops have ad- | vanced on a front of 101a to a maimum depth of over six miles, taking from the Germans nearly 70 square miles of hehly V organized and fortified works, resembling fortresses. Besides the capture of some 15,000 prisoners, large quantities of ma terial and guns have been taken, and each day is adding steadily to the record ] of success. The Germans have been | elected from Baches where they offered | stubborn resistance and despite desper. ate counter attacks, have not been able to | regain any of the lost ground
 In conjunction with the French, the | British have been driving methodically tor | ward, repulsing counter attacks and con | soldidating territory gained. The village ] of Ovillers which was fedended by twol regiments of Prussian guards and which | held out for 10 days has at last been captured by the British. Only 126 men | were left alive, and it is reported that | as these men were being marched to | the rear, the British troops presented | arms as a token of admiration for their heroism in withstanding SO long the at ia cks of the English troops. The British objective is now Pozeres, which is of | much strategic importance. The Germans | have offered the most stubborn resis- tance in the face of the English advance | and have sent their best troops, the Prus- sian guardsmen, to meet the attacks of | Haigs khaki warriors Evidently the Teutons would rather be beaten by any, body else than the British
 Lively interest is still manifested by the American public i3Mthe German sub- marine merchantmen which has been watched closely with the expectation of fresh sensations The arrival of another of these giant divers is hourly awaited, notwithstanding the fact that the allied warships keep up their grim vigil off the Virginia capes. Discussion of the Deutschland's successful trip across the