THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16741, 23 December 1914, Page 6

THE CAMPAIGNS.

unofficial accounts, as usual, arc moving a good deal ahead of the official reports, but the most conservative estimate of the position in Flanders and France shows that the marked forward inove of the Allies is being continued. It is probable that'the rush has carried advanced parties well beyond the * ground that has definitely been gained, but it is *l®° nrobable that the Ger*

mans have taken stops to strengthen their lines and they may even recover some of the lost positions. The capture of Roulers would bo a highly important development, but even if Roulers lies at the mercy of the Allies the position may not he occupied, in view of the fact that tho Germans are still holding on close to Bixschooto, between Dixmudo and Ypros. A dangerous wedge has been driven into tho German lines along the Roulers road, but if the Allies attempted to establish themselves in the town without having adequate support on both flanks the position might easily be a source of weakness rather than strength. The enemy appears to havo made a stubborn resistance immediately east of Ypres, but both north and south of tho Menin road tho Allies have been advancing. At Armontieres, La Bassoe and Albert, also, progress has been made, and tho vigorous attack is being continued. Simultaneously tho attack is being developed actively in the Oliampagno country, beyond Rlieims, so that tho nutcracker simile that we used 'when the present position was first evolved is more than ever applicable. The Russians are still maintaining silence regarding the development of the battle in central Poland. In tho north, as we know, the German menace lias been effectually met, but there is a hint that this movement was more serious than the earlier stories suggested. In all probability the so-called raid turned out to be a considerable attempt to develop an attack on tho right flank of tho Russian armies, the intention being to menace Novo Gerogievsk .and Warsaw from the north and so to draw troops from the centre. The necessity for meeting this attack may havo prevented the Russians from throwing their full strength against the Germans on the Bzura, where the struggle apparently continues without marked change of position. The story, said to have been published in Berlin, that tho Germans have .found it necessary to evacuate* Lodz does not appear probable from tho information available, but it has to be said that wo have had no definite news of the developments in the Petrokov region for many days. In Galicia the Austrian advance appears to have reached its limit, though a further adjustment of tho Russian front is quite probable. The conflicting accounts of the position in Italy seem to suggest that Austria may have a fresh and very serious complication on her hands in the near future, but it is always possible that these stories are circulated to alarm tho enemy .and have little solid foundation. In view of the fact that Prince Bulow is in Rome it scarcely seems profitable to attempt to deceive the Germans and Austrians, and it certainly cannot help the Allies to put false reports in circulation when the truth must be'known to tho authorities on both sides.