NOTES ON THE CABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16684, 3 May 1916, Page 5

NOTES ON THE CABLES.

Br Shbaphil. FnOSPEOTS ON THE WEST FRONT. With, respect to great actions or overt intentions in that direction, a iitygian pall seems to hang over the bd.ttielioJds of Europe, No information lias t><Jia vouchsafed as to when and where General Joffre intends to strike a blow tor the deliverance of Franco and Belgium from the grasx? of their llunnish invaders and ' despo-ilers; neither do the Germans betray their plan 3 for the victory which, thoy claim, lies to their hands. Russia, on the east front, ia mysteriously silent. Tne Germans certainly do allow information, which is meant to deceive, to perookitc through to Amsterdam. They imply that, before Whitsuntide, about six weeks hence, thoy are going to strike a mighty blow from Belgium with the purpose of obtaining a decision on tlia west front.

Presumably, it is with the foreknowledge of , victory that the Kaiser has decorated Herr Krupp von Bohlen with the Iron Cross of the first class, "owing to his labours enabling Germany to win the war." Tha Kaiser must bo speaking in an anticipatory sense, or from the prophetic vision of the god within. The decoration of the greac ironmaster is probably a well-thought act of the Imperial poseur, and is intended to convince the world of Germany's serenity. Its inevitably strikes the imaginative eye, however, as a theatrical and bombastic display. Whitsuntide is not yet, and when it doea come Herr Krupp may not be so proud of the boastful legend which his Imperial master lias woven round the lion Cross. Whatever the concentration of half a million troops in Belgium may mean, it is not enough by one-half to wrest victory from, the Allies in France. In one day's battle the French and British artillery, if employed on all the vital sectors, would destroy that number. Ihe German Genera' Staff knows that victory is not possible in France. That ohance was lost in the first month of the war, and the opportunity has gone for ewe*. Germany has tested greatly the French strength at Verdun, and the result has not 'been to her liking. If it is true that the Germans are being sent in groat numbers to France and Belgium, it is probable that it is because a strengthening of reserves ia necessary, in order to meet the forthcoming attacks of the r Allies. If General JoitxeV Fabian policy is really compelling the Germans to take the offensive in France, it will have produced an excellent result. General Joffre would be better pleased that tha offensive should ibe begun by the Germans than by his forces. Whoever takes the offensive in France knows that initial movements, even if successful, must call upon the originator for considerable sacrifices. That is a demonstrated fact; victory cannot be obtained by kid-gloved tactics. It will be an extraordinary revelation and an utter refutal of the calculations of the military experts in France and Britain as to the numbers that can put into the firing line without complete annihilation if she undertakes a great offensivo to secure victory in the west. Unless the Russians are sadly behind in their re-organisation and munitionment, Germany dare not risk the destruction of a great part of her maa-power in France. Since the day when Russia held up thei German advance on the Dv..;; . and the Austrian advance on Sereth, have the best reasons for believing m Russia's great' recuperative powers, and, if any proof were needed, we have only to look at the Caur casus. The future in either of the two great theatres of war may be contemplated with considerable confidence. There are two French generals in the west equal, if hotsuperior, to any man Germany oan put forward—namely, the great masters of military craft, Generals Joffre and Foch.

SECTIONAL ACTIVITIES.

Of sectional activities in Franco, the chief centres of interest are the lines north and south of Ypres, Verdun east and west ' of tho Meuse, and the corner of France between the Vosges and Lorraine. In most eases tho Germans are still the attackers. One feature of the German attacks is the increasing .use of gas against the British. In one cqso the cablegrams reported that the gas cloud was "re-directed," and, as the word appears to be used specifically, it seems to imply that some mechanical means has been developed by means of which it ia possible to blow the gas iback upon the enemy. If the trenches from which the gaa is ejected are close, and the cloud is wafted forward by a very gentle breeze, it is quite possible to re-direct, by means of powerful blowing machines, such as are used in minca ancj in oonjaection with blast furnaces. These machines would, of course, bo electrically driven, the power being transmitted to the trenches by a cable from a station soma distanoo behind the lines. Such a method, under favourable conditions, could be apjplied when the gas attack was ibeing made on a small soale. but would be difficult and cumbrous on a wido front, such as that reported on a 2000 yards' front north of Messines.

West of the Meuse, at Morthomme and north of Cumieres. the Germans have made several attacks, that on the Morthomme trenches being made in dense formations. The enemy attacks in everv. case ware repulsed, and the lossos at Morthomme were very serious, while those at Oumieres were heavy. Theso attacks must bo looked upon as causing some depletion of the German strength without gaining much advantage, if any, and- tho persistence of the Germans must be due to the orders given to officers to prevent stateness by keeping' the men in fighting trim by attacking tactics when and wherever the opportunity offers or tho activities of the Allies make tho course necessary. Tho only other reasons that can be given are that the Germans are feinting to cover somo other concentration on a part of tho front, or they are testing the lines to find out tho centre of greatest force. It is remarkable that on a certain section of 1&e Lorraine front there is a comparative absence of activity, and that part consequently should bo regarded with a good deal of suspicion by tho French.

AIR ACTIVITIES. What is becoming remarkable on the west front is the increasing activity in the air, and it is a matter for considerable congratulation that the French airmen are proving everywhere tho victors. The redoubtable Fokkers are now quite evidently outmatched by the latest French battle machines, and tho toll of machines of all sorts, including- a Zeppelin taken by tho French in Flanders, must be proving highly exasperating to the German commanders, especially as the French are raiding camps, depots, Bivouacs, and railways with great success, and are at the same time preventing tho Germans from returning tho compliment. With the ascendancy so greatly in the hands of the French, the Germ ana must bo greatly at- a lo3S to mako effective reconnaissances of what is going on behind tho French lines—a state of affairs that may greatly affect the fortune of the Germans in tho coming summer campaign.