Great struggle on in the Middle Oise Valley

Von Kluck strongly reinforced

Allies hard pressed

The big battle under new conditions foreshadowed in this column earlier in the week, is apparently taking place and the result will be awaited with some anxiety.

As already explained we are precluded from making comments on the probable nature of the operation in progress so far as all the allies plans are concerned and we can only deal with the news given out in official form, drawing attention only to known facts and making no deductions beyond which to those that surface indications point.

From the communique issued yesterday it is clear that the anticipated large reinforcement of the German right , has taken place, large bodies of troops being brought up in a roundabout way from Lorraine and the Vosges.

This of course means that the Germans, possibly by the creation of risks elsewhere are making a supreme attempt to keep open their line of retreat up the Sambre valley and accounts for the violent fighting proceeding in the Tergnier and Quentin district.

It is evident, too, from a later communique, that the forces now opposing our curving left are numerically exceedingly formidable.

At one stage in this new and important battle they were admittedly superior in numbers and the French had to give ground before the particularly heavy onslaught directed against them. Apparently there was no question of actual defeat but the position was temporarily fragile and it was not until fresh troops were brought up that the allied forces were able to resume the offensive.

It is clear that a great struggle is in progress and we must be prepared for any news. In seeking to get a correct view as to the position of affairs, the suggestion at present is that there is a renewal of the greatest activity and that the fighting is intensifying in character with success alternating between either side On the whole the indications are that a slight advantage rests with the allies in the centre and that on the right a weakened (unless new forces have now arrived) enemy is giving way.

There has been a fortnight of almost ceaseless fighting so it is impossible to compare these huge operations with anything that has previously gone before in the history of war.

The new battle is but a continuation of the old one and we may have to wait until the middle of next week to know definitely no it has gone.

From the eastern theatre of war the news continues to be good.

In East Prussia is thought that the retreat of the German forces is being pressed. The Russians , with immense cavalry force at their disposal, are rapidly over-running the whole ground and have already seized most of the railway junctions as well as other points of military importance.

However while one day we hear that the Austrian army has been shattered beyond repair, the next day it pops up again as lively as ever. At present we must leave this puzzle, the solution is only a matter of time.

The possibility of Italian intervention in the war is growing less remote, Austria appears to be indulging in various provocative acts and Italy may soon realise that the day has dawned.