Riding for a fall

American view of German action

German check in East Prussia

Activity in the west

It is not surprising to learn from Washington that the people of the Unites States are beginning to think Germany is deliberately trying to court war with that country with a view to giving up under conditions less humiliating than would otherwise be the case, a struggle, which in any event is bound to go against them.

So far German diplomacy has not shown such subtlety as this. To discriminate in favour of the Stars and Stripes would only accentuate the grievances of other neutrals.

Briefly Germany has blundered, very badly, in this latest advertisement of her incapacity and the fact that this was advertised is not without significance.

The Germans have told us only half their plans despite their habit of sending round the crier. They may be cloaking a move of another description but in any case it may be presumed that we are not only ready for them but as with other occasions we are ready to give a little better than we receive. Time will show how far we have been able to counter or thwart their attacks, at present we are hoping for the best.

The weather is rapidly improving and the augmentation of the armies in the west is proceeding. There is good reason to believe that the continued reiteration in a certain quarter that the enemy still outnumbers the allies, is not in accordance with fact.

Lively fighting

Big German effort

In Belgium there was a bombardment of Nieuport, of our dune trenches and of the town of Ypres . Our artillery countered the enemy's batteries.

From the Lys to the Aisne there was intermittent cannonade. Near Noulette a detachment of the enemy which was attempting to advance towards our trenches was stopped dead by our infantry fire.

In Champagne there was a fairly vigorous activity on the part of the enemy's artillery on our front before Rheims. The city was again bombarded but our fire on the German trenches appeared to give good results.

In Lorraine, German forces advanced against those of our advance detachment, the results of this engagement are not yet known.