The Washington times., 1916-12-24
London Balance Sheet" Shows
Germans Checked Everywhere
But In RoumanIa.
PRUssIAN LINES ARE WEAK
Superior French Strategy 10
Shown In NIveIIe's Stroke
on Meuse.

LONDON, Dec. 24.-As the world n
swinging into a new year, Il becomes
appropriate for military observers OF
the great war to follow the example
OF business houses and strike a bal
snco to see how accounts stand at the
end OF 1915.
with the rumors OF peace and the
notes that have occupied and perpleS-
ed public opinion during the week
these observers have little patience.
They look upon the fields where war
with words have little place and the
guns alone speak with authority.
Thus considered. Il will be seen
that there In no weakening OF the al.
lies lines, that the only successes or
the central powers have been In Rou-
mania: that even there they are
checked, and that there In every pros
pect OF the war continuing at least
through 1917.
Didn't Need Action.
IL did not need the stern declare
ton OF King Georges speech that the
war would be vigorously prosecuted
until the security OF Europe In cstab-
iished or the more abrupt rejection
OF Bcriin's peace plea by the Russian
Duma to show the determination OF
the allies 60 attain their objects, how
ever long IL might take.
On the western front. the Belgian,
British and French lines are bristling
with activity from the North sea TO
Switzerland. Never for a moment are
the Prussians allowed any rest.
In recent raids made by the Brit.
ish captures are reported OF Prussian
prisoners, physically exhausted, found
asleep In their dugouts amid the din
OF bombardment.
From the Ancre north action has
extended TO the Belgian lines, where
there have been heavy artillery en-
gagements ut He Sar.
In the vicinity OF Ypres. near
Commecourt and Neuve Chapelle,
British raids have altcrnatod with
heavy Smelling and many prisoners
have been taken.
weskness Of Prussiss Lisss.
on the Mouse General Niveile's
stroke. In which nearly twelve thou
sand prisoners were captured and the
election OF the Prussians from the
Chambrettes farm last Monday, con.
clusiveiy prove the superiority or
French strategy.
On the east the Russians from Riga
TO the Carpathians are constantly
heckling the Prusrian lines by the
Same methods m those used In the
west.
On the Roumanian front alone have
tho Prussians held their ground. There
they have advanced during the week
beyond the BuEen. the Roumanians re-
firing toward the sereth river.
on the Macedonian front fog. rain
and mud have prevented any advance
by the Frsnco-Serbian forces In the
west. although there have been artil.
lery dueis and engagements by italian
cavalry patrols.
sseee.sfsI Raids.
In the center and east. at Lake
Dorian and on the Struma the British
have been making successful raids,
taking prisoners and extending their
lines.
On the Italian front there has been
more active artillery bombardmehts
In the Trentino and on the Csrso
where the Italians are slowly
creeping toward Trieste.
On the Turkish 'front.' the British ON
Thursday recaptured v, Arish, In
Egypt, ninety miles east OF the sueH
canal. This move. which was feasible
any time within tho last two years, IN
ficates the intention OF the British
TO extend their lines ON the SINAI pen
Insula, and, perhaps. TO invade PaleS'
me and Syria from the south.