Germans becoming cautious

Allied armies waiting

If the latest information available at the the time of writing is to be relied upon, the Germans have at last awakened to the danger menacing them in a north westerly direction, the extent of which hitherto has not been realised.

They are making a desperate and belated attempt to cut off our communication between Antwerp and the coast.

Our immediate interest, however, lies nearer Paris and the news of last night was to the effect that the Germans had now reached within 23 miles of the city and that the banking movement to the Allies left continued.

We also learned at a late hour that Mauberge, despite the destruction of some of its forts, was still holding out.

The information is that the German movement towards the south east that was started two days ago continues, and that the enemy has now evacuated the Compiegene-Senlis district.

The message adds that there is no material change on the French left wing and that the enemy’s flanking movement seems to be completely checked.

On the allies’ centre and to the right in the Lorraine and Vosges district, the situation also remains the same.

All together this makes excellent reading, and it would be rash to try and define right now what the German strategy is, but appearances suggest an absence of the sure touch which previously characterised it.

They are displaying more caution, more hesitancy, than has hitherto been in evidence, whereas it would appear that on the other hand the allies campaign has assumed a definite and fixed shape.

We had more than one black Christmas during the South African war, but by the time Christmas of this war dawns we may see an infinitely greater war taking the turn in a direction we all so fervently desire.

Austria out for count

Already it would appear that Austria has been nearly counted out and it is rumoured that the two overwhelming defeats on her inflicted by Serbia and those by the Russians, has meant the release of a huge portion of the latter’s army.

The Russian general staff believe that 400,000 men are now sufficient to keep Austria in check and that 800,000 men are therefore free to take part in the operation against Germany.

Meanwhile, at home there is a growing confidence in the ultimate victory of the allies and there is a dour determination indeed that nothing else shall result.

Is is hoped that no undue alarm will be felt at the news that an airship has been seen flying over our soil.

It is one of the possibilities of the war that something of this kind may be attempted.

When it takes shape we shall be ready to deal with it.

Reuters special war service reports from Antwerp that important movements of German troops who are believed to be operating north and south of Brussels have been reported here today.

It is stated that yesterday morning a strong German army left Brussels travelling in a north westerly direction. It is thought that they have been ordered to cut off communication between Antwerp and the coast.