Germany’s baffled strategy

Allies ready for the offensive

Invaders checked at various points

The Press Bureau’s detailed description of the situation at the front issued yesterday, made good reading.

Two paragraphs in particular provide unlimited satisfaction “There is no doubt that our men have established a personal ascendancy over the Germans and that they are conscious of the fact that with anything like even numbers, the result would be doubtful.

"The cavalry have definitely established their superiority, they do as they like with the enemy until they are confronted by thrice their numbers. The German patrols simply fly before our horsemen. We must have more men so as to operate on a scale proportional to the strength and power of the Empire. “ In other words our army in France is all that could be desired, expect there is not enough of it.

We may however, take it for granted that disparity in numbers will not for long be a serious complaint and it is already clear that fresh drafts are continually filling the lines to fill the gaps caused by the fighting.

In other respects the official communication does not carry us a great deal farther.

We have a more detailed statement as to the respective policies of the opposing armies but this in the main agrees with what has already been published.

From messages to hand it would appear that the Germans are sustaining checks in various directions and the Belgians Are excelling themselves in their engagements.

It is evident that fighting on a large scale is in progress between our left and the enemy’s right and it would appear that the offensive is that of the allies with contact occurring on the banks of the Grand Morin.

The general position of the allies is described as good as a whole, and it has been established that the ring of steel which was to encircle them has never been more than a half hoop.

Recently this has been hammer into a straight line following the course of the Marne to the eastward and Seine to the west.

It would be a mistake to think that the Germans do not regard Paris as a military consideration.

They may appear to be neglecting it and certainly they are not at present making an attempt to attack from the North, but their manoeuvres suggest an attempt to drive the allied armies within a fortified zone.

There is a further comforting fact that whatever happens in France within the next few days , the troubles of Germany are rapidly accumulating.

The taking of Dantsig where the dockyards are working night and day to complete a dozen ships of war would be of infinitely more importance that the taking of Berlin. As for Austria , was there ever a nation in such plight?

The arrival of the Russians will see the end of her resistance and after that Italy may discover on which side her bread is buttered.