Evening star., 1916-08-20

the possible fate of the German armies
operating in the center of the line.
Successful Russian advances to the
north. while Gen. Letchitzky pushes
even farther to the westward on the
extreme southern section of the front,
surely will force the Germans back
ward. As it is. the operations of Gen.
Brussiloff bring grave menace to these
forces, in view of the extreme westward
point which the Slavs have reached to
the northeast of kovel.
Although admitting the bravery and
forces who are
German Optimism on struggling with
Insecure Grounds. n,atn - tho re
gions of the River Somme to drive the
Germans toward the frontiers of the
fatherland; although confessing that
never in the history of the world was
there ever such artillery bombardment
as is being conducted by the allies at
the present juncture: although Berlin
admits material enemy gains at sew
eral points, the general German view
of the battle is that the French and
British have reached the height of their
offensive and although heavy fighting
may be expected to continue for at
least period OF a month, the maxi
mum gains has been registered by the
allies. Everywhere there seems to be
unbounded confidence that the allies
will be unable 10 register further ma
terial progress in those regions where
the heaviest fighting has been waging
in recent weeks.
But the facts in the case would in
dicate that the allies are accomplish
ing everything they set out to accom-
plish and there is little or no reason
to believe they will desist in their pres
ent stupendous effort.
As was pointed out some time ago.
the present allied effort is being carried
out on the policy that slower gains,
through careful plans worked out in
advance, decidedly are more worth while
ana less costly than a great frontal
attack. which invariably results in dis
astrous losses to the assailant. The les
son OF nibbling was taught to the allies
earlier in the war by the Germans
themselves. An advance here and there,
then a consolidation of ground gained,
netted the Teutons hundreds of square
miles of enemy territory. Allied frontal
attacks at several points during the
earlier weeks of the war resulted in
failure and stupendous casualties. That
they should adapt themselves to the
early lessons taught by modern-day
warfare is but logical. and 1T would
appear that this policy is being carried
out at the present juncture with the
greatest success on the Sonme front
which battle has resolved itself into a
struggle. the intensity of which pos
sibly was undreamed of when the
French and British first sounded the
call to advance.
Since the start eight weeks ago the
Germans have been forced back at
points six miles eastward of the line
which they originally held when the
fghttng in the west settled down to
trench warfare. in the winter of 1914
and 1915. The allies at no period have
10 ID,
fore the present war broke out was
considered essential If the appearance
of success We're to be maintained. They
have moved slowly but surely Their
gains have been registered through
methodical effort. and though at times
appearing to be at isolated points the
close student of the battle has observed
that by steady pressure the French and
British have co-ordinated all of their
positions to the detriment of eventual
German success.