Good progress

In centre and on both wings

Trenches stormed and taken

British once more on the left

The Germans seem to make the most of their capture of Antwerp. The number of prisoners is to be swollen by the simple device of including among them Belgian soldiers who are wearing civilian dress. It may be next decided to increase the total by adding those dressed as women or masquerading as children!

Berlin must be satisfied in some way or another and the anxiety already becoming manifest as to the slow progress towards Paris must be made to yield to a feeling of exultation at some diversion such as for example the renewed bombardment of Rheims cathedral.

The Emden has helped to keep the Germans on good terms with themselves. Her gallant achievements in sinking unarmed vessels and in bombarding defenceless oil tanks have sent a thrill of pride throughout the length and breadth of the nation and Berlin is doubtless now longing for the brave cruiser to catch those British or French men o' war that have so long eluded her.

Well it is possible that opportunity may arrive ‘ere long, but the circumstances are not quite as the Berliners picture them, nor will the result of the Braden encounter with one of her own size prove quite in accordance with their expectations.

The news last night that the sinking of a German Hamburg-Amerika line steamer and Greek vessel, both reported as attendants upon the Emden, revives the hope that she may yet put up a fight with something that can hit back.

Hitherto the most prominent characteristics displayed by the Emden have been speed and elusiveness, she may shortly show us how expeditiously she can go to the bottom.

The fighting efficiency of the Austrian navy, such as it is, has been affected by a serious fire at Monfalcone dockyard. An armoured cruiser about to be launched has been seriously damaged and a number of other war vessels have suffered material injury.

The fire is thought to be the work of incendiaries whose main intention was to destroy a dreadnought under construction, but this information one imagines will offer but little consolation. They may even be afraid of other incidents happening elsewhere. We learn that a number of the workmen have been placed under arrest.

If the good people of Berlin were supplied with authentic news of what is going on it is just possible that their thoughts would take quite a turn and they may be able amongst other things to correctly appraise their so called great victories against Russia.

The veil obscuring the operations in the east has not been wholly lifted, but we know enough to feel satisfied that the Germans have nothing to crow about.

An official communique from Nish states that Belgrade is no longer in danger and Sarajevo, where the trial of Princip and his accomplices is proceeding, is in a state of siege. For the really great trial of strength in the eastern theatre the Russians are adopting strategy best suited to their purpose.

The authorities in Berlin estimate their total losses in France and Belgium up to date as over 700,000 men, this does not include their losses on the eastern frontier which they estimate as over 150,000, they also acknowledge that the Austrian losses exceed 500,000.

The intelligence from the front in which we are most interested continues to be good, official despatches are not very enthusiastic at the best of times but even with this caution the news is excellent. We are on the eve of great happenings. The allies are assuming a vigorous offensive all along the line.