BRITISH VIEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8206, 2 August 1915, Page 5

BRITISH VIEWS.

LONDON, July 31. i The newspapers unanimously' accept the wisdom of. the Russian retirements and sympathise with' Russia in her hour of trial. They pay a tribute to Russia's heroic service and sacrifices in the common cause, the proven value of toe Grand Duke Nicholas's strategy, and the superior fighting qualities oi the Russian troops over, the Germans. Ibe newspapers generally do not disguise the seriousness of the blow. The Military Correspondent of "The Times" says it is impossible to question the wisdom of the retirement. ihe only doubtful point is whether it can be successfully carried out. It was time to retire, but the retirement will be difficult. The security of the whole line depends upon whether General yon Bulow can be prevented from forcing the Svonta and marching on Vilna and establishing himself astride the Russian line of communications. The Russians have a fair chance of, making a successful relireinent, but -directly it begins tho Germans will go,full btoam' ahead, and throw themselves",on tho' Russian 1 rearguards like a pack of wolves:. But those rearguards can be relied upon to give a good account of themselves. It is only natural that some Russians should ask what their Western Allies are doing. Our answer is that we are holding up 2,000,000 of the best German troops, besides relaxing the pressure- in the Caucasus by hammering the Turks on Gallipoli Peninsula.