THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17251, 19 August 1916, Page 8

THE CAMPAIGNS.

Tins news from the western front may not appear particularly sensational/but it is important in its - way, because the repulse of tho German counter-attacks proves that tho Allies are consolidating the ground they have gained and; that tho enemy will have to concentrate larger forces or face larger sacrifices if he desires to recover it. The Germans have taken timo to prepare their coun-ter-offensive, but it is not to ho supposed that the Allies will be left to pursue their plans indefinitely. Sooner or later the enemy must endeavour to wrest tho initiative from them, and so far he appears to havo been devoting his energies to tho fortification of his now lines and tho strengthening of his defensive system, Tho comparative smallness of tho advance in the latest Allied movement was due, as wo explained, to tho dteliberate restraint of tb.9 offensive, hut tho fact that both British and French are aiming at near objectives and are exercising a severe control on'every attack is evidence that the enemy’s defence ,is becoming increasingly formidable. There havo been signs of a Gorman concentration, at least of artillery, on tho sector south of. Roye, suggesting that th© enemy may bo planning to deliver a counterstroke there when tho position on the Somme is regarded As securo, hut in the meantime wo must look for an increase in -the intensity of the fighting north and south of tho Somme, particularly in view of tho determination with which tho French have been applying themselves to the attack on th© Maurepas sector/ In the ©astern theatre the pause in the operations is more apparent than real. It is obvious tliat the Austrians must ho exerting their utmost energies to stop tho Russian .progress, and for tho time, at any- rate, they are certainly delaying the advance. There are hints of a counter-stroke against Leshitsky’s left wing, which is operating along th© northern spurs of tho Carpathians, but in view of the position on tho Dniester it may well bo doubted whether the enemy can spare the forces for such an effort. More obviously, the Austrian concentration is proceeding with all speed both north and south of the Dniester, the northern army endeavouring to stay tho rush across the Zlota Lipa, while the business of the southern force is at all costs to hold the bridgehead at Halicz. There is fighting of some magnitude south of Brody, and not improbably von Linsingen will be delivering-heavy blows on the Russian front west of Lutsk. The absence of new's makes it clear that the enemy is fighting for a sound defensive front, and it may be some little time before Brussiloff gathers his force for another of his telling thrusts. The position on tho Isonzo front has undergone no material change, and it is to ho inferred that tho Italians avo preparing for their next attack on the Austrian defences. Tho communiques havo made occasional references to tho Tolmino sector, where the important bridgehead on the upper Isonzo is being strongly defended, but .it seems to be rather on the Carso that we should look for the principal Italian efforts. Shortly, too, Caclorna will be delivering his attack on tlie fortified 1 heights north of Gorizia. There is some activity in Macedonia, tho importance of which is not at-present apparent.