The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1915. THE DEARTH OF NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144778, 7 September 1915, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1915. THE DEARTH OF NEWS.

As the northern winter approaches one naturally expects to hear of great activity in the various theatres of war, for it is a fair assumption that neither side is anxious to unduly prolong the struggle or to make its armies unnecessarily endure another winter in the trenches.- To the enemy especially it must be of vital importance to bring about a speedy termination because every week now sees the odds increased against him. The Allies Would no doubt willingly continue the wearing down process for a long time, as long at least as the Germans are content to spend more men and ammunition in attack than it is necessary for them to spend in defence, were it not that the continuation of the war means the continuation of disturbance of commerce and the destruction of wealth and loss of lives on all sides. Germany appears to have come to the conclusion long ago that her only hope of victory lies in first crippling Russia so that she may then devote her chief attention to crushing France and GrCat Britain. Having finally settled these two countries she then hopes to be able to make terms with Russia or withstand any efforts the Russians may later on make to redeem the situation. In the west the German commanders have shown such' a lack of enterprise lately as to have brought down upon themselves a rebuke from their war lord. The Austrians are opposing Italy with very little assistance from the senior partner, and the Turks have called in vain for help. From this it would seem that Germany’s forces are now so reduced that she can only undertake one great campaign at a time. For some time past that has been .the advance against Russia, where, in spite of superior forces, she has not yet succeeded in breaking or even crippling the Grand Duke’s armies. Until this is accomplished Germany cannot afford to relax , her efforts on that front, and consequently is incapable ' of a great offensive elsewhere. The further her armies follow the Russian retreat the more dangerous will their position become, unless they can succeed in delivering a crushing blow that will compel Russia to take the count. If this were July instead of September we should not expect to see the Allies in the west depart from the tactics they have pursued for months past, since every week would make their task less difficult. But already rains in Northern France have turned the roads into quagmires, and as the days shorten the difficulties of transport will increase, both on land and On sea. It is believed that the British forces in France and Flanders have by this time been enormously strengthened and that' the supply of munitions is now

ample for all purposes. Therefore it may he assumed that if it is intended by General Joffre and Lord Kitchener to launch a great offensive before next spring it must be launched within a very few weeks. We can only speculate as to their reasons for delay. Their preparations in the west are, we believe, complete, and it may be that they are waiting only until the Grand Duke has reached the line where he proposes to make a determined stand, or until the forces on the Gallipoli Peninsula have opened the way to Constantinople and so caused the Balkan States to move. Or it may be that it is Italy they are waiting for, in order that Germany may he so threatened from that direction that part of her remaining armies must be‘ sent to defend their south-eastern frontier. On paper it would seem that the most certain method of attaining final victory would he a simultaneous advance upon Germany from all directions, and General Joffre may be deferring his movement until this can be undertaken, .ve can scarcely bring ourselves to believe that he intends to remain inactive, or comparatively so, through the winter; if not he must give the word soon. The present calm may portend the breaking of the storm which will overwhelm the enemy.