Belated success

Germans at Dixmude

Allies advance along the coast

Fierce struggle around Ypres

The only reason for feeling dismal over Dixmude is because both words begin with the same letter and that is no reason at all.

It is the only definite success which has so far accrued to the Germans in the desperate fighting along the Belgian battle front and it is a gain to be characterised rather more than material.

Dixmude, which as a town ceased to exist some time ago lies between Nieuport and Ypres and is on the eastern bank of the Yser. Its capture by the enemy, as we have suggested is not an event of great importance for in such a terrain as West Flanders all parts present much the same difficulties and advantages to the attacking and defending forces.

It is pointed out moreover that the allies continue to hold on to the outskirts and have strengthened their position on the Nieuport- Ypres canal though the Germans claim to have crossed the waterway atone point.

In a general way the allies front has been maintained in this intense battle despite the ferocity of the German onslaught.

The British, it is satisfactory to note, everywhere stopped the enemy and themselves, attacked at various points.

One advantage accruing to the allies is in the re occupation of Lombartzyde, the first village of the road from Nieuport to Ostend.

The later official statements show that the enemy continued their desperate effort without anything to show for it.

The present however is a somewhat anxious time and developments will be watched with the utmost interest.

A great deal depends upon the progress of the operations about Ypres and we shall have both our courage and our faith tested more than ever before the struggle is over.

In the case of necessity, Japan will send troops to Belgium.

His Majesty’s ship, Niger a torpedo gun boat built 22 years ago and employed in semi-combatant duties was torpedoed by a submarine in the Downs yesterday morning and foundered. All the officers and 77 of the crew were saved and it is thought there is no loss of life even though four men are injured.

There is no further news of the progress of events in the eastern theatre, though according to German wireless messages the Germans are assured that a Russian invasion on a large scale is improbable owing to the long boundary between the two countries.

Meanwhile in recent fighting in East Prussia the Russians are stated to have captured over 100 guns and 21,000 prisoners.

Writing on the situation in this theatre it is stated that the Russian has a horrendously difficult task ahead of him and a remarkably able general in Von Hindenburg, to defeat.

The Times states that it is of much importance that public opinion remains cool and steadfast under the strain and anxiety of this long drawn-out fight and should realise that our losses and sorrows are only a fraction of those which Germany is suffering.