That the expected slowing down of the original German onslaught in Belgium was to be expected, was clearly shown in the Allied communiques, and the careful preparation of the German people through the enemy press and radio to receive the news. On the telegrams which came to hand yesterday it would seem that along the greater portion of the front the Germans were definitely held, but that between Namur and Sedan there was a considerable amount of activity in which the Germans managed to create a ten mile salient which the French troops with great gallantry succeeded in reducing to but four miles. The fact that the rate of the German advance has been slowed down does not mean that there has been much reduction in the intensity of the fighting, for determined thrusts are still being made in the direction of Brussels, and Antwerp, and across the Meuse south of Namur. How far the lightning stroke designed by the enemy has succeeded may be estimated by the fact that despite the speed of mechanized arms in no place have the Germans penetrated Belgium to a depth of more than forty miles, while the greater portion of that advance was effected before the Allies were able to throw in substantial enough reinforcements to assist the Belgians to hold up the enemy. It was during the first few days of the past week that the Germans were able to make the greatest headway with forces which are still calculated to be about in the ratio of ten to six in favour of the invaders, and it is apparent that as Allied reinforcements are thrown into the battle area, and the existing disparity reduced, the chance of bringing the enemy to a complete standstill are all the more enhanced. With the transformation of the war from one of position to one of movement, it is not easy to establish more than an approximate line as indicating where the fighting is at present taking place, but if it is taken as stretching from the east of Aerschot in the north of Belgium, eastwards of Louvain, Wavre, Charleroi, Marienbourg and thence to Mezieres, with the fortresses of Liege and Namur still holding out, some fair idea of the position may be obtained, always realizing that there are considerable variations from that line owing to some of the German advances being local and on a narrow front.
The line given above then, is not to be taken as representing opposed fronts as was ihe case for so long during the last war, but merely as giving a rough idea of the area in which probably the fiercest fighting the world has ever seen is progressing. In th connection readers possessing maps with which they are watching the progress of the war would do well to remember that indications of the position of the Maginot Line are only very roughly accurate. Thus a wrong impression was created two or three days ago, when it was announced that the Germans had captured Sedan, and Tongwy, that the French defences extending from the Maginot Line to the North Sea have been breached. Nothing was further from the truth for both those towns are situated to the east of that line, though on the maps they may appear either to be on the line itself or even well within it. Thus it was possible for the French to announce as they did that neither Sedan nor Longwy were of any great importance so far as the maintenance of the fortified line was concerned. The position around the former town is still reported to be serious, though the French succeeded in reducing the initial advantage which the Germans gained. East of Sedan the situation has improved and there is every reason to believe that the position to the west will not be allowed to worsen. North of Sedan, and towards Namur the position is still somewhat confused, though it is expected that a day or so will reveal the exact position.
Turning from the military to the political side of the war the reception of the brief address by the French Premier in the House of Deputies, the announcement of the acting Governor General of Canada, the appeal of President Roosevelt to Signor Mussolini to continue to work towards a localization of the war, and the recent pronouncements of the Pope all have their respective significances. The peril of the German onslaught has done much good in unifying the whole of France in support of the present government, and that nation has again risen to the occasion as it did so thoroughly during the dark days of the last war. The determination of Canada to continue to fight w ith the Empire against German aggression has again been announced by the acting-Governor General. It is symbolic of the unanimous intention of the whole of the British Commonwealth to fight this war out to the bitter end until victory shall be secured and a chance obtained for the world again to seek ihe fruitful paths of peace. President Roosevelt's latest communication to Signor Mussolini is on a par with other of his representations to the Italian dictator, being nothing in the nature of a new move but rather a continuation of the attempts he has consistently been making towards the same end. That, and the reprobation b; His Holiness the Pope of the "new pagans," and his messages to the latest victims of German aggression, expressing his wishes for the speedy re-establishment of justice and liberty and conveying to them his apostolic blessing, is of considerable political and psychological importance. The moral bravery of His Holiness, situated as he is, in taking such a step cannot but be a stimulus to those who realize that many long days of darkness will have to be passed through before his wishes see fulfilment. His Holiness is displaying the same courage as did another prince of the Church, Cardinal Mercier, during the last war, and it will not only be Roman Catholics who will receive inspiration from the nobility of his action. It still remains to be seen what course Signor Mussolini will follow. From all appearance there is no question as to whether, or not he will enter the war, but only the one as to when. The best, and most realistic method of looking at this particular aspect of the struggle is to accept the view that, at a time when he considers Italian interests will best be served, Signor Mussolini will abandon his attitude of non-belligerency, and throw his country into the struggle. About this there can be only the slightest element of surprise and the fact that the Allies have already made all the preparations which they consider necessary to deal with such an emergency, is clear enough indication that the ultimate entry of Italy into the war on the German side has never been lost sight of. That it will increase the task of the Allies goes without saying, but that it will influence the outcome of the war against them is to be doubted.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.