The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1917-04-13
THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

AS we write, on Wednesday, we find
the opposing armies in northern France
engaged in deadly struggle. On Mon
day the British and particularly the
Canadian contingent, advanced on a
front of about fifteen miles driving back
the Germans about two miles. The ad
vance included the famous Why ridge
which has been the scene of many bat.
ties for its possession. War critics say
that the possession of this ridge is vital
to the Germans and it is expected that
they will make gigantic efforts for its re-
capture. The battle is evidently not yet
completed and further results will be
looked for with great interest.
1t may be that this onslaught of the
entente forces is intended to checkmate
the supposed great cou nter- attack of the
Germans expecting to defeat the entente
armies before they were able to entrench
the devastated fields left by the Germans
in their late retreat. At present at least
the Germans are on the defensive in
stead of being the aggressors. 1t is pos
sible that the present battle might de.
velope into that great decisive conflict
for which all critics have been looking
for some months and to which IN COM
parasion all previous battles will be as
skirmishes.
Austria as expected has also severed
diplomatic relations with the U. s. 1t
will make but little or no difference in
war results as Austria has no navy to
speak Of As one result the U. s. has
seized nine merchant ships which were
in our ports for safety. On the other
hand Brazil has joined the U. S. in its
severance of friendly relations with Ger
many and several other South American
republics are on the point of joining in
the same way.
1t is said that some 400 Norwegian
ships have been sunk by German sub.
marines and about 400 Norwegian sailors
drowned. There can be little doubt of
what the Norwegians are thinking about
Germany at this time, but they are but
small and weak nation and they are so
close to Germany that they fear to de-
clare war.
Denmark, Holland and Sweden have
all been great sufferers, but have the
same reasons for not fighting against
ruthlessness.
There is some anxiety about the atti.
tude of Mexico. There seems no doubt
that German influence is at work there.
We think however that we need fear no
great trouble there. Not because we
have any faith in the several govern
ments there or in the people. But there
are two principal reasons why Mexico
cannot do US much harm, one that she
has no army. she has no guns or ammu.
milton, and she has no money. Germany
cannot supply the ammunition because
she has no ships. She might possibly
furnish some money to Mexico. though
We think that after almost three years
war she can have but little to spare. but
if she did loan Mexico millions Of money
Mexico would have only one market in
which to buy, and this country will have
other customers a. we'll as ltselfto take
all the available supply.
Details Of submarine work except In
isolated cases do not now reach the pub
lie press. The Germans claim to have
sunk about seventy five large vessels
during the month, while the British,
claim that they are sinking on an aver
age one submarine day. But after
three months Of the ruthless, sub
marine campaign England is still not
suffering from hunger. s
Az told in our news columns NJ
measures are coming home to usvho1
arc % Tar removed from probable con- 4
fict. Bridges. slevators, public bnild-
ings, etc, are being piaoed under military
guard. whils on the other hand. lncendi-,
ary fires and explosions 40 happening
which ~ thought = g scts q German.
nasenaniacs. 3 All vair,s, : ssatians ~;