NOTES ON THE WAR CABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17105, 10 September 1917, Page 6

NOTES ON THE WAR CABLES.

By Shbapheu THE BRITISH FRONT. The reports from tho west front are descriptive of what is tho normal activity in tho long intervals between major operations. In the parlance of the boxing ring, these minor operations must bo understood as sparring for an opening to get in a heavy blow. Sir Douglas Ilaig's report states that the British rushed a hostile post near Quoant, but it shows also that the Germans aro developing tho art of raiding, and that lately they have been making raids more frequently than the British. Tho information tliat tho Germans aro making raids near Lens suggests that the British have ceased attacking, and have settled down in their consolidated positions. Near Ypres the Germans strongly counterattacked tho positions more recently taken by the British northward of Frezenberg and drove tho British back to their former lino. South-west and south of Lens, at Eleau-dit-Leauvetto, andl at Avion, advanced posts have slightly moved forward. Bad weather is evidently militating against .more extensive operations being carried out on the sectors north and south of Lens. British raids were carried out at Gavrellc, near Oppy, eastward of Arras, and patrols northward of Ypres came into contact.

The Germans aro evidently in considerable strength on the Ypres front. They must be expecting a further instalment of tho British offensive in Flanders. Their counter-attacks, raids, and tho heavy shelling of Langemarck are intended to delay or disorganise any preparations which Sir Douglas Haig may be making, or they may bo an attempt to draw him, while they are waiting with everything in train to meet his expected attack. If the enemy is in great force in Flanders—and there is no doubt that the Germans have greatly reinforced the threatened sectors with men and heavy; artillery—Sir Douglas Haig may elect to attack at a different point. The sectors which would most vitally affect tho positions of tho Germans in Flanders are east of Arras and between Marcoing and St. Quentin. FRENCH WEST FRONT SECTORS. The Germans are also showing a considerable amount of activity along the French sectors on the w*k.t front. They still continue their attacks on tho French line north of the Aisne. They are there adopting the attack as the best means of defence, but it must be costing them dearly, and it is evidence that they aro apprehensive of the position between Laon and Sapiquent near whero tho valley of tho Aisne makes a bend to the northward. East and north of Rheims thero lias been a comparativelj long period of quiescence. The Germans hold very strong positions there, and perhaps the French have concluded that operations in strength amongst the massifs east of Rheims would involve an unduly great sacrifice of men. Further eastward, in tho middle Champagne, near tho Butte de Mesnil and the Hand of Massiges, the German artillery has, after a very long period, extending considerably over a year, again become active. The Germans are evidently "feeling" tho line between Rheims and tho Argonne, either with a design to attack or in apprehension of an attack; most probably, while "feeling" the line, they are at the same ttmo making a demonstration to conceal the fact tliat they

have drained the front of men uPtl guns in order to strengthen other parts of the front, notably, at Verdun, Arras, and Ypres. RUSSIA'S PROBLEMS. The Russians are still retiring on the Riga front and the Germane have thrown forward their cavalry over 40 miles north and north-east of Riga. The Russian mes-

sages state that the troops are retiring to a shorter line of defence in accordance with prearranged plans, but it is difficult to understand this when there can be no shorter line further north than that from Friedrichetadt to Riga, the strong defensive line which tho Russians in their folly have abandoned. If the reference had been to a slightly longer line the message might be intelligible, for there would be some sense in extending the German lines if the Russians have the forces at hand to hold the line. If the Russian rule were stable and authoritative in military matters, plenty of men are available not only to check the Germans, but to open out an offensive by which the German positions in the north could be turned. Germany cannot afford to extend her lines on any front, east or west, unless her armies are greatly increased by Polish and Lettish levies. Inasmuch as Germany's manpower is decreasing in comparison with that of the Allies, Marshal von Hindenburg is taldng a risk in extending his front even although it is a great prize which he is after.

The Germans' plan is undoubtedly to over-run Livonia and Esthonia, with its strong naval base at Reval. They are encouraged in this by the hope of gaining the assistance of the Finns. Their probable intention, therefore, is not at present to move on Petrograd, but to establish a new front from the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland and from the mouth of the river which drains Lake Peipus, to Dyinsk. Such a line would include the great Peipus Lake and several smaller lakes to the south, and could be held with very few more men than held the Dvinsk-Riga line.

To attempt to reach Petrograd would be a rash undertaking unless tho German General Staff is absolutely certain from its information that, owing to political distractions within Russia, and the utter impossibility of order and discipline being restored by the Russian Staff, that the resistance that would be offered would be quite negligible. Russia, however, is a country of surprises, and it is safe to say that if the danger that threatens Kronstadt and Petrograd arouses the Russian populace, Germany is taking a false step. Already there is an indication that all parties in Russia, except the Anarchists, aro being aroused out of the complacent state of military inactivity which their new-born freedom has brought about.

A Russian message says that in view of the possibility of the German invasion continuing beyond the Riga sector, the Russian State Bank and artillery headquarters have been removed to Nijni Novgorod, 260 miles east of Moscow. That would seem to indicate that the Russian authorities fear that if Petrograd is taken, thore is also a chance that the Germans will follow up their victory by marching on Moscow. It is more than likely, however, that the removal of bank and artillery headquarters so far oastward is meant to awaken the Russians to a sense of danger and to effect a union of the more sensible and conservative political parties.