Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1916. THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue XLIX, 4 January 1916, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1916. THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE.

IT has been -known that- since the end of the big German offensive on the Eastern front in September la-st, Russia, has been preparing for a. counter-move, but few observers have expressed the view thatthe offensive would be begun before the Spring. But already we are told. Russia's striking power has been great] yi increased by the arrival of-new'troops —"a fins type Of soldier" —and a, plentifulsupply of ammunition. The front froirithe Prip&t marshes to Galicia. and the Dvina front, it is also stated, "suddenly blazed with- fierce activity." All the facts are against the presumption that this is the beginning of the expected offensive, but- it- is very satisfactory to know that Russia is in a position, to take this aggressive step it may be, 'found, has for its immediate objective the 'harrassing of the Germans and driving them from, the snug quarters they have prepared for the winter. It may, however, be found that Russia has reorganized more quickly than the military observers considered possible. Ger- ! many certainly gained a big advantage by her offensive against Russia last year although the movement failed in its primary objective, in shortening her Eastern line. The vast areas over which she lias had to extend her armies, with the consequent dissipation of force, havo been a great handicap to her. Even now she has enormous distances to cover. The Western front from the North ,Sea to Switzerland: is ait least 400 miles, the present EAstern front cannot be less than ! 700 miles, and .the Austro-Italian frontier—Austria has to he reckoned with j Germany in any review of operations—extends for 480 miles. It will thus be seen that on .the three fronts alone, without considering the Balkans at all, Germany has to hold lines or posiiaons stretching over a total length of about 16C0 miles. For many reasons it is considered unlikely that either side "will attempt any .grand offensive movement while sevene winter conditions prevail, although last winter saw Hindenburg's third German, attacki on Warsaw and Russia's great struggle for the Carpathian; passes. Any big 1 German move in Russia is considered out of the question during the "winter. It is doubtful if it is in their power to make good the stupendous wastage that their great offensive of last year involved, and unless vast numbers of troops were provided little good, could be done in the bleak, difficult country to the east of the line they now occupy. And further, their .present- advanced line, won at such a terrific expenditure of troops and shells, will undoubtedly) be far harder to supply with food, ammunition and winter equipment, than was the line they held at the beginning of last "winter. • The front is more distant from home bases, and its communications,. both by rail and by road, are far worse, for the Russians iri their retreat took care to destroy • all bridges and railways besides devastating the country. If it is really true that the Russians are ready to take the offensive at the present time they will, oxi account of their -natural mode -of- life, -have' a great advantage over an enemy used, to milder climatic conditions, and the German 'forces could ibe placed in an exceedingly precarious position. It is the severe punishment the Russians received last year that makes it doubtful whether they have yet had time ;to reinforce their lines with new levies and hew guns in sufficient numbers to drive feck the invading Austro-Germans. For some time past the Germans have been engaged ill strengthening their lines. Their engineers have been at work rebuilding bridges., forming roads, restoring old trunk! lines of railway, constructing new strategic lines and fortifying a series of entrenched positions. Further, they have been equipping their lines with a formidable | supply of ijeld and machine guns dti order to save men, a growing shortage of which is one of the chief hopes of the Allies for the ensuing year. The great fact to remember is that the British and Russian armies are capable of increasing after Germany has reached the stage at which wastage cannot be fully repaired.