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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 171, 25 August 1914, Page 4

At last, the allied forces are really in rlose grips Avith the German forces;

over a line of battle extending from Mons to the Luxemburg frontier there is a terrific battle raging. This set engagement, it is expected, will last several days, for modern warfare tends to tremendous struggles and short campaigns. Contrary to expectations the allied army has assumed the offensive. Since they had been led to believe that the French forces would fight a defensive battle in the time of invasion, the Genuau leaders may be somewhat disconcerted, and their plans upset by the latest move of the Allies. It may be taken for granted that those directing the movements of the Entente battalions had excellent reasons for thus carrying the battle to the enemy. This change of tacticsmay conceivably throw the invaders off their balance. It is one thing to plan an attack, and quite another thing to have to prepare to receive one. However it is the main forces are now in deadly conflict over 100 and more miles of country. At this stage it would be simply foolhardy to predict with any degree of certainty what the outcome will be, but there is no reason at present for any despondency as to the strength—and position of the allied forces. They have had ample time for preparing and consummating their plan of campaign, the French mobilisation is complete, and the army is in good heart. If we grant the Belgians even some small successes against overwhelming odds, it may be assumed that, with artillery and men at least equal to those of the Germans, the Allies w T ill be able to do a little bit more than the plucky defenders of Liege. According to German military authorities, success for the army of the fatherland depended on such '' strategy " as a sudden overpowering blow at the enemy administered by a force very much numerically superior to his own. In the present campaign, the sudden descent has been suspended, and the Allies are as strong as their opponents. This being so, the issue resolves itself into a matter of superior fighting force—and' in this most people rely on the Entente forces.