THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17335, 25 November 1916, Page 8

THE CAMPAIGNS.

There is not n great deal to be added to what lias been written during the past day or two concerning tho general situation, because nowhere, except perhaps in Rumania, has the situation changed materially, and in regard to Rumania we have no recent information. The correspondents are s'oill giving attention to the general mobilisation of tho population of Germany and to the schemes for compelling the people of the occupied territories to work in German and Austrian factories, but we have no hint as yet that the Allies propose to counter this extraordinary movement by a similarly comprehensive measure. Of course, in France the whole population, virtually, B being employed in ono way or another on war work, but in Britain too largo a proportion of the people are put suing their old avocations, and the • mobilisation even of the fit- men of military ago seems to bo far from complete. The Government is certainly taking steps to control tho food supplies and to cut down the consumption of luxuries, bulb the measures are still only partial. Austria will certainly follow Germany's example in organising her people, and at present it looks as if the enemy would be given a. material start in what is probably the giyatesJt war measure yet undertaken. Of course, it is easy to say that the mobilisation of the whole population is an indication of the enemy's desperation, but we should regard it rather as a measure of his determination. The best information we have as to the state of the German armies suggests that there is a real shortage- of trained reserves in tho Central Empires, in spite of the fact that they were able to organise a strong force for the offensive against Rumania. Tiie French General Staff, -in a calculation recently quoted, estimated that the Germans had increased the number of their divisions to 193, but 'that only fifty-four were up to the establish' ment, while nineteen were composed of undefined battalions. To meet the deficiency of trained men they have already been using untrained young levies, a sure indication of the decline or tho reserves. Consequently the heroic measures to which tho German Empire h now resorting may well have been forced upon it. but that is surely ho reason why the Allies should not face tho groat issue with equal determination and equal thoroughness. The reports concerning the situation in Rumania are still vague ana confused, and we can offer no helpful comment upon them. Thero is much fighting north of Monastir, where tho Bulgarians have been strongly reinforced, and where tho weather continues unfavourable. To the west of Lake Ochrida the Italians are said 'to bo working north towards Brzesnda, but the news is not as precise as might be wished. There have been no developments of consequence on the Italian and FrancoBritish fronts.