Evening star., 1917-03-04
Russians Also Expected to
Push Forward in Persia
and Armenia.
MUCH DEPENDS UPON
CONTINUED SUCCESSES
What Allied Armies Have Done and
Entente Hopes Again
Recalled.

| with the firm intention of seizing all Rus
| sian soil from the Germans at the
earliest possible moment. Gen. Erus-
silon is declared fully prepared to
strike, and strike hard. and in case he
docs it is believed his chief efforts will
| be directed to breaking or rolling up
the German line in those regions to the
! south of Kovel. where an eTort un-
| doubtedly will be made to retake Lem
berg.
Owing to the meager actions. which
| reveal but little of possible Russian
| or German purpose, it is an extremely
difficult task even to speculate on the
eastern situation. That events of
striking character and far-reaching
| Importance are bound to transpire
along the line stretching from the Gulf
OF Riga to the Danube is certain
Tho word usual" used continuously
fighting in the direction OF Trent and
Trieste, gives an indication OK the
situation prevailing there. Rome says
the usual" artillery engagements con-
declares the usual infantry patrol
actions were fought. Vienna says the
same. The truth of the matter is that
both italian and Austrian armies are
resting, content with minor engage
ments at the present moment, and 1t
would appear that the likelihood OF
a German offensive against Italy has
beeen reduced to a minimum. However.
important offensive movements by
either the Austrians or Italians may
ditions. AS the Italians have set
Trieste as their first goal. an offensive
over the Carso is an extremely likely
eventuality in the next few weeks.
To say that Great Britain and France
are elated by the great German retire
ment in the Ancre
Allies Elated, but valley is stating a
fact mildly. But
Still Mystifed. they are as mysti-
ned by the German movement as they
are pleased.
During the past week the Germans
have been forced out Of territory ap-'
proximating thirty-six square miles
More properly speaking. the Germans
have retired. ostensibly under the
weight of British pressure or because
their present positions were deemed
untenable in view Of the British
| strength.
Over a front of eleven miles the Ger
mans have fallen backward to a depth
Butte de Warlencourt. Serre and Com
mecourt will go down in history as
synonymous to fearful destruction.
These positions. which now have fallen
into British hands. for more than
year and a half previous to the recent
slaughter pens for Gen. Haig's men
who endeavored to wrest them from
German hands. Other towns taken are
Fys. serre. Irles. Labarue. Thilloy.
mile south of Bapaume; Petit Mirau-
mont, Puisieux-au- Mont. warIencourt-
Eaucourt. These fell one after the
other during the past seven days when
| the Germans began to move backward
The whole of the heights to the south
and west of Bapaume are in British
hands. These positions have been
fought for with terrible results to both
the British and Germans. for it was
| realized by Gen. Haig and others high
in his command that once they were
gained the positions of the enemy Inn
! mediately in front Of Bapaume could
not be held long by the enemy. The
Germans fought desperately against
British efforts to take them. for they
also realized their extreme Importance.
With these facts in mind the German
retirement under the cover Of fog is
not only surprising. but it has com
pletely puzzled high military leaders
OF France and England, as well as
other close observers of the war.
Why should the Germans voluntarily
give up the very positions which they
once deemed essential to the defense
| of Bapaume?
Why should they even consent to for
sake Bapaume. the very hub of their
operations between Arras and Peronne?
| These are two Of the questions which
must be answered definitely by future
events.
One of the most logical reasons which
come to mind is that the Germans
| realized their lines of defense no longer
were of adequate strength to hold
against a well directed British offens-
i've. this condition being made so by
the continuous artillery activity of
Gen. Haig's batteries during the long
| winter months. The great destruction
is known to have been wrought be-
hind German lines by the deadly fire