Big Russian move

Turn Germans left

Gains in the east

IN common with the press generally, the Argus published the story of the success attributed to the British forces in the la Bassee neighbourhood.

The news came from a source which had hitherto proved reliable but the entire narrative it now transpires was baseless, the censors too busy in in suppressing their information failed in their duty in allowing such a message to pass for printing.

In the eastern theatre the news at present is the most interesting.

Russian forces are now once more advancing on Erzurum and if only the transport of big guns were possible the capitulation of that town with the garrison would take place in a very short time.

It may be that the Turks are disheartened at their reverses and will put up strong defences, but the Turk is a good fighter and it would be unwise to anticipate too much.

Elsewhere the Russians seem to be doing very well indeed and there are movements which suggest the rapid development of well thought out plans including an important outflanking effort in East Prussia.

Turning movements however can only be undertaken successfully when the army which is being employed to do the turn has its own communications secure.

It would be quite possible for a Russian army to march into Prussia without any serious opposition but if it found all the immunisations in the hands of the enemy as it undoubtedly would then such a movement would-be disastrous.

The Grand Duke’s strategy so far has been of such a high order that there are not likely to be mistakes of the above nature and whatever he is doing he is exercising due caution but caution and a bold stroke may often be reconciled.

The fact remains as in yesterday’s official report from Petrograd that the Russians have re occupied a trench south of the Vistula and behind what has been understood to be the German line for some time now.

We get the impression the German left flank is being turned.

It may be that this is still largely a cavalry affair and yet it is pleasing to think that the Russians are opening the way for a new advance.

In the west the allies are still waiting for the ground to become playable to put their new teams into the field with best effect.

It is little better than a quagmire now and the new armies are not going to be risked under such conditions.

The one forward movement recorded yesterday was to the North west where a number of German works are said to have been captured and two German aviators have been brought down near Pont a Mousson.