Noted expert’s confidence

Growing pressure on the German line

Desperate haste to fill gaps

President Wilson’s note

Mr William Jennings Bryan, from motives which we can only faintly appreciate on this side of the Atlantic, has once more repaired to the wilderness, this time voluntarily.

His conception of true American policy is, apparently, non-embroilment at any price in European quarrels, and it can only be concluded that, despite ‘the usual expressions of friendliness’ it contains, President Wilson’s note to Germany is unambiguous in tone and unequivocal in expression.

Germany is offered a golden bridge, and if she refused to walk over it, there will be a ‘postponement’ of friendly relations – a phase which would do credit to the older diplomacy which America was supposed to scorn.

The actual text of the note is published present impressions may be modified, but it is safe to say that there will be general surprise if President Wilson and his Cabinet have despatched any document which does not contain numerous loopholes.

It is well to note dates seen in connection with the Army Order issued by Sir Ian Hamilton.

After stating that in all his past experiences, which include the hard struggle of the Russo-Japanese campaign, ‘he has never seen more devoted gallantry’ than that which has characterised his men’s efforts ‘during the last the three days.’ It is added that he has informed Lord Kitchener by cable of the bravery and endurance displayed by all ranks and ‘has asked that the necessary reinforcements be forthwith despatched’.

Now this order is not dated today but ‘May 9’ and large reinforcements have been landed since then with result of satisfactory character.

An unofficial message states that a general attack by the Allied troops in the Gallipoli Peninsula was again made on Monday, the advance in some places extending to 500 yards and in orders to 1,600 yards, which, as we know, is an achievement of some magnitude.

The operations are, of course, not confined to the land, for, although we hear nothing official, the bombardment of the forts of the Narrows is doubtless going on continuously.

Sooner or later these strong positions will be completely smashed up, and – a fact not generally recognised – the fleet may be through the Narrows before our land forces have reduced and captured Achi Baba.

In that event the fortified positions on this formidable ridge would at once become practically valueless. From the inside of the Straits we should have control of all approaches and, in a military sense, the entrenched forces occupying Achi Baba would be surrounded.

The general anticipation is of course that the land operations will make way for the Fleet, but the other possibility is not ruled out by any means, as events may prove.

The official Italian report published yesterday was of considerable importance as was sufficiently indicated in headlines and comment.

Along the line of the River Isonzo, from Caporetto to the sea, the Italian forces have come into close touch with the Austrians and at points most suitable for a crossing preparations are being made to instal bridgeheads in order to dominate the banks and to provide safe crossing places.