In strong positions for resumed battle

Anglo-French lines moved back

Continued French offensive in the South

The delay in resuming the fighting, although the interval was not of long duration, sufficiently indicates the shaking up that has been given to the invincible army.

But whatever the event of the last few days may suggest, it is much too soon to talk of victory or to regard the German advance as sufficiently shocked.

The news last night and this morning is both good and bad. It was good to hear of the British prowess and heroism and pleasing to learn that the perilous operations involved in the withdrawal of the lines originally prepared had been carried out with such success.

On the other hand it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that such a difficult feat was accompanied with heavy losses.

It is very highly satisfactory to learn that in the view of the French Ministry of War the general impression on the engagements that took place yesterday is favourable and that in Lorraine the German offensive has been absolutely repulsed.

It is disconcerting to receive news this morning that the Anglo-French lines in the North have been moved back a short distance however. At the same time whilst all news should be examined very carefully, the inclination is still towards the optimistic.

The Germans have scored what would very properly be regarded as successes but at the moment there is no confirmation of the rumour that Lille and Valenciennes have been occupied.

The taking of Lille would not in itself be a military achievement but the occupation of Valenciennes would apparently mean difficulties for the British left.

All that we know at the moment is that French troops have been brought up to reinforce the extreme point where the British troops fought with such gallantry on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

It is not necessarily a far fetched notion to imagine the strategy of the Allies is associated with the Russian advance but while the white finger of the North may be pointing towards Berlin it cannot be thought that a smashing blow at the Teuton in the west and South would be of any advantage to the Muscovite.

The German losses, it is manifest, have been enormous, but this will not deter them from renewed efforts on a huge scale and we may soon hear of more fighting and terrible carnage.

Both sides we are told seem to be recovering from the effects of the fighting of the last five days.

Interesting speculations as to the general positions are indulged in this morning by the military correspondents of various journals and on the whole there seems to be good reason to hold on to the belief that the allies will hold their own and that means the ultimate defeat of the oppressors.

Over hopefulness is however a source of weakness and must not be indulged in too freely. We have a very long way to go yet with many dark days in store.

In the meantime Russia continues her dramatic progress conducting simultaneously an invasion of Eastern Prussia and an attack upon Austrian territory