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Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 787, 18 August 1916, Page 6

The New York "Times," which has achieved an unusual prominence in the cables of late, has returned to the "mysterious German Command-er-in-Chief on the Somine," who, when questioned as to the situation, is reported some days ago to have declared that the British will not get past him. The latest reference to the military "mystery" implies that l.e is the hero of the Dunajec drive, von Mackcnsen, no less. It may be so, though we have been told that that General was responsible for the conduct of the Turkish campaign in Asia Minor. Of course, it really does

not matter to the Allies who is com-mander-in-chief of the German armies in Picardy. Nor will the bold talk on the "mystery's"' part about being ready to sacrifice several hamlets at the price of 2(1,000 British lives per hamlet interest the Allied General Staffs to any extent. It is apparent from the desperate : efforts he made to retain them that Poziercs, Longueval, Maurepas, and j other strongly fortified posts like the jLeipsic Bedoubt, which have been | captured by the British and French (forces, were of the utmost importlance in the enemy's defence scheme, and worth almost any sacrifice to prevent them falling into the hands iof the Allies. The "mystery" says I he hopes the offensive will continue. I This bluff is markedly transparent I even for a German sample. The Sommc offensive has severely dinted I Germany's confidence, and probably jhas made Verdun safe for all time, j and if the Crown Prince is forced to accept conclusive failure on the : Meuse the reaction in the Fatherland l will not be good for the military i caste. The suggestion of the New

I York journal's little sensation is that I the Allies are unable to advance except ;<t a prohibitive price in men. jlt is true that an offensive entails [heavy losses, but counter-attacks on j captured positions are equally destructive to the attacking parly, as | the German casualty lists show. Germany need have no delusions as to the plans of the Allies. The intermittent offensive on the Somme is | only the beginning of a major movement which will strain the enemy's powers of resistance to the utmost. 'Germany is now on the defensive, and the Allies' aim will be lo keep j her there until she cries enough.