Russian strategy

A great triumph

Pending western battle

Progress on the right

In the summary of events which is attempted here it is impossible to enter into great detail, for this the news columns suffice, but there appears to be plenty of evidence that the Russian victory over Von Hindenburg’s forces is complete.

Absolute acceptance of all the reports in several publications is inadvisable, and indeed the reports are conflicting, but no room is left for doubt that the German counter offensive from which so much was expected, has failed.

Panic in retreat

The Daily Telegraph correspondent speaks of two army corps captured and states that the German retreat takes the character of a panic stricken flight.

The Daily Mail claims that one division has surrendered and another is expected to follow immediately and if this happens, 50,000 Germans at least will be put out of action.

The Times correspondent in a message which the Argus shares confirms the more optimistic statements and the general conclusion is that this is the most glorious news of the whole war as far as it has gone so far.

And now surely it is the turn of the west.

Matters remain quiet along this battlefront but there is still much activity with the German transport and it is to be supposed that a third great effort is to be made to reach Calais.

The feature chosen for special mention in the official communiques is another characteristic bit of work by the Indians who gallantly recaptured some trenches lost on the previous day and in doing so possessed themselves of four German guns and took over 100 prisoners.

Ground has been gained by the allies between Langenarck and Zonnebecke, south eastern Ypres.

Very significant is the news that North west of Verdun the enemy asked for an armistice.

In a measure this bears out much that has frequently been ventured in this column.

We may expect great things from the French right.

Germans facing great peril

A greater peril than the mere pushing back of their northern forces faces the German armies. From other portions of the war area the news at the time of writing is meagre.

The Chilean naval authorities have received proof that German warships have violated Chilean neutrality by staying several days at Juan Fernandez Islands, by capturing neutral ships, by seizing coal and provisions and by sinking a French barque in Chilean territorial waters.

The Cross of the Legion of Honour has been conferred upon three British airmen who made a raid on the zeppelin factory on Lake Constance.