NOTES ON THE WAR CABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17112, 18 September 1917, Page 5

NOTES ON THE WAR CABLES.

By Shrapnei*. THE FRANCO-BELGIAN SECTORS. Whilo Sir Douglua Haig'a reports this morning mention au extensive raid at Gherisy, near CroisiUee, south of tho Scarpa, tiio Coraum oiTicicd message magnifies the affair into an ivdvanco and u repulso on a 1500 yai-ds front. A littlo Teutonio imagination credits tho British with the use of flame-throwers and orrnoua-ed cars to emphasise tho importance of tho valorous oounter-attaok which "threw" them "out of our trenches." On tho Lens front a Gcrinon raid was checked, but on tho Ales3inosCommiues road tho enemy succeeded in taking some Britifih prisoners. Inverness Copse, a strong point whioh tho British took at the end of last week, was tho eceno of a German counter-attack, which was repulsed. Evidently Inverness Copse, which is on high ground, is a vantage point and observation post, whioh the Gormans are chagrined at losing.

Tho Germans are reported to bo clearing civilians from tho coastal towns and tho inland towns to tho north and eaet of Ypres. Such a step indicates a fooling of apprehensiveness concerning British plans for making a great forward movement in Flanders. It would not bo a difficult matter for tho Gorman airmen to detect betrind tho British lines tho concentration of tho masses of men that would bo required for such extensive operations as would bo set in motion to clear the Germans out of West 'Flanders. The difficulty of the Germans will bo to find cut tho precise moment when Sir Douglas Unig will attack, or whether tho attack will bo a strong feint or a major operation. Something is being prepared both by tho British and French, but where tho blow will fall only the Allied General Stuff will know. Eastward of Epohy, in tho direction of Lo Catole-t, is the point where a successful onslaught against tho German lines by the British would have the greatest effect, and where it could l>e more easily linked, or, rather, co-ordinated, with the French operations north of the Ais-ne, in tho Champagne, and at "Verdun. A great Allied suoctss a.t Lo Catelet and in the Champagne would necessitate a withdrawal of the Germans on the northern front without fighting. THE RUSSIAN FRONT. However conflicting and somewhat tin satisfactory tho messages have been that we have been receiving about the political turmoil in Russia, it is gratifying to hww; that, despite the bewildering pokiietil complications und the rapid rise and fall of military commanders, the Russian armies, both north and south, are. recovering their lighting spirit. All that is required in Russia is an active and authoritative stand by the Provisional Government. A step in tho right direction is reported to have now been mado. A War Cabinet of five members has been established under M. Kerensky. It does not include a Minister of Railways and Internal Communications, though such aJi appointment is surely very necessary, and, indeed, from what has been said regarding the food problem in Petrognad and other largo centres, of vital importance, A strong and well-organised police- department, with a good head, is another of the political necessities of tho moment, in order that sedition and sabotage may bo repressed, Mid that the country may bo cleared of German agents. Probably such appointments and arrangements will soon follow on the reconstruction of the Cabinet.

Russia has been definitely declared a republic. Tho rapid turn of events and the dangers that aro still extant have forced M. Kerensky and his coadjutors to make clear the basis on which they intend to stand. A clear and firm declaration, followed by immediate ■ firmness, will clear tho political atmosphere.

Improved, although it is, the military situation on the northern front is still unsafe, and it is hinted that the Germans are preparing for other strokes in the direction of Drinsk and of Minsk, which is considerably to the south, of Dvinsk. It is rather late in the season for extensive operations on the northern front, as the autumn rains will soon begin, but if Marshal von Hindenburg ean collect the forces ho may attempt to break up the Russian armies while the military and political control is still disorganised and weak. It seems, however, that the fall of Riga and the subsequent advance were due to treachery, and if so, the scare the Russians have received and the danger to Petrograd should givo to the armies the little revivifying force which is necessary to check the Germans, who cannot afford to sacrifice many divisions. *

THE ITALIANS NORTH OF GORIZIA.

An Italian official report states that the Italian troops gained ground on the southeast margin of the'Bainsizza plateau, to the north of Monte Santo, and that aeroplanes dropped two tons and a-half of explosives on the Austrian troops massed east of Monte San Gabriclle. Any advance on the Bainsizza plateau in the direction mentioned will be useful as a step to outflank tho Austrian points of vantage eastward of Monte San Gabriolle. The state of affaiis with regard to the positions on the crest of Monte San Gabrielle does not appear to have altered much, bnt the plan of attacking with aeroplanes the Austrian reserves that are being concentrated en the eastern side is a sound and economical one, which, if extensively maintained, will give the Austrians a vast amount of trouble. Austrian artillery, well placed to tho east, appears to dominate the Italian positions on the crest and to be the main factor in checking the advance. The Italians may soon be reply ing with their heavy guns.