French gain ground

Enemy again active

Battles in Poland

German troops from the west

According to the British Weekly the optimistic view of the war in higher official circles still continues.

It seems however that the duration of the war is a matter of opinion and not of knowledge.

We are only now approaching the end of the beginning but the interval before we reach the beginning of the end may not be a long one.

The role of prophet is not to be one assumed lightly for there is always the possibility of new circumstances arising.

So far as the probabilities go any new factors are likely to aid the allies and there is a growing conviction that if things were going badly with us or even if it were imagined adverse conditions could arise, we should be taking measures, which so far it has not been deemed desirable to resort.

Some time back it was announced in Paris that the Japanese would ere long be in the field. As yet this has not happened presumable because the necessity has not arisen.

In case of grave emergency we could have despatched many more troops to France during the last month than has actually been the case.

Instead it has been found possible to retain every man until he is thoroughly efficient.

These and other factors point to indisputedly to a measure of satisfaction with position as it exists ate the present time.

In other words things are going well and nothing but an improved state if affairs is to be expected.

Hitherto no other view has been expressed in this column than that the war will last for years, the preparations however of the various nations concerned including Russia, are evidently for a long war so perhaps this is the best way to make it short.

That Germany’s difficulties are growing is very clear and that they realise them is also becoming apparent.

There is evidence that they are moving large from the western to the eastern front, large reinforcements arrived on Wednesday and immediately began the offensive.

On the left bank of the Vistula there has been no substantial modification.

The investment of Cracow is gradually being accomplished and it is claimed that guns have been placed less that three miles from its fortifications and that the Russians have begun to bombard the city.

Germans in the western theatre are asserting that they intend to make another bid for Calais under the direction of the Crown Prince and that in the event of failure they will go into winter quarters.

Meanwhile they continue their expenditure of heavy ammunition agains the allies lines.

The Italian parliament reassembled yesterday and it was announced that no new factor had intervened to prompt them to alter her policy of neutrality.