Prussia again invaded

Blockade reprisals

There appears to be an impression created probably by the result of recent fighting that the German line in France and Flanders is wearing very thin.

This is only true to a limited extent but it would be less inaccurate to say that a patching up process has been going on which, owing to so much material needed in other directions, has not produced quite the results that were desired.

German lines are not so unbrokenly deep as to prevent a surprise and a defeat, as the British were clever enough to demonstrate, but brilliant though our victory certainly was only the staff could tell us if all that was aimed at were achieved.

Even in defeat the enemy showed great tenacity and profited by his remarkable organisation. The German infantry, driven headlong from Neuve Chapelle never became a mob.

There is also the reflection that, so far as can be ascertained, the bringing up of reinforcements meant no dangerous weakening of the enemy’s lines elsewhere.

These facts discourage undue optimism and it is well that we should not expect too much just yet.

The time for sweeping triumphs has not arrived although there is reason to believe that it will not be long deferred.

For the present, one is entitled to speak in terms of unqualified praise of the splendid work that the French are doing, particularly in Champagne. This sustained attack is a serious operation with a direct object.

In January, Champagne was the scene of a number of isolated local efforts designed to keep the enemy busy and prevent him from withdrawing troops elsewhere.

Since February the object has been to keep a constant pressure on his first line of defence to affect the use of the railway and to wear down his reserve of men and ammunitions.

Those are not perhaps very ambitious aims, but within the limits defined the French operations have been perfectly successful.

Almost daily an advance has been made towards the railway yet on scarcely any day was the gain more than a few score yards, but there were few days without gain and no day on which any loss has been recorded.

Perhaps the best testimony in French success in Champagne was given in the German report published some days ago.

That official document owned up to losses as heavy as those sustained in East Prussia. It owned up also to the fact that the staff had found it necessary to bring up considerable reinforcements.

While there is little further official news from Petrograd of the operations in the east, yesterday’s communique admitted another invasion of North East Prussia. It is stated that Russians gained a cheap success in the direction of Memel, plundering and burning villages and farms.

The first effort has been made under the new policy of reprisals adopted by the Allies in response to the German submarine warfare.

A cargo of bacon and provisions destined for a German port has been captured by a British patrol boat off the coast of the Shetland Isles and taken into the Tees. The goods, it is understood, will be unshipped and sold under the terms of the British declaration.