ESTIMATES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VICTORIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16035, 29 September 1915, Page 7

ESTIMATES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VICTORIES.

REAL BRITISH OBJECTIVE SAID TO BE LENS.

HILL ' 70 ' AN IMPORTANT STRATEGIC POSITION.

London, September 27. -the Paris correspondent of the London Daily Mail says the good news caused the liveliest satisfaction. Among the strategic positions captured one of the most important was Hill "70," a mile and a-half north of Lens, which dominates the road from Lens to La Baßsee. A military officer stated that this was " real business," and was exceptionally good for the allies.

Diplomatic circles say that the consequences of the significant success will be very far-reaching, and will provide food for reflection far beyond the boundaries of France.

The Pall Mall Gazette is of opinion that the advance along the Menin Road is not serious, and that north of La Bassee the British are also holding their attack, the real British objective being Lens, where there are at least two corps. The French advance in the Champagne implies the engagement of at least five army corps. They are now within three miles of the railway in the Souain region, with the small rivers Ain and Tourbe on either flank; hence they should be able to hold out against expected strong counter-attacks. * Colonel Maude expresses the opinion that with reasonable luck, the allies should drive the Germans to the Rhine in two months. ther critics deprecate undue optimism at present. They say we have had only the opening moves in the game, which will continue for days or weeks, but there is general relief at the apparent end of a period of waiting, which pessimists construed as. paralysis. npw Jt.„ Ld ° Times, in , a leader, says: " The splendid and sterling news will be received by the nation with the deepest gratitude The conclusion is irresistible that the enemy had large forces in the field and was heavily beaten. If we can penetrate deep in the German front it may have tremendous effects. Yet the nation should entertain no illusions. Victor should serve as a stimulus, not as a The success renders national service not less, but more, necessary."

Rivi* D;„t ch j ».r t z: Bti&h , •***"«• » -«» foundries, and engineering works and manufactories .fTtrL'"",,™!' 1 " 1 a central position in the coalfields of the department. Two and «.(,»» It , occn lies Rievin, also a coal-mining centre. In 1648, the If awa - v the scene of » celebrated victory gained by Louis IT„^ R k t"' WM Conde. over the Spaniards. 7 " ° f Bourbon , Prince of Menin towards which the British advanced from Hooge is over th. * , • border, and „ due north of Lille. It is situated on the Ever 7Z id I®" factures linen and flannel, and in the neighbourhood are " tations. It was at one time one of th« «t* • 6 tobacco planbut the fortifications were ra«d under the terms of