Still raging

Great battle for the coast

German advance checked

Russians and Cracow

A new movement

We play the German game nicely if we yield to our fears regarding the position North of Ypres.

Grave enough it is without indulging in exaggeration but to suggest that the Germans have scored an overwhelming triumph and that they are sweeping on irresistibly to Calais is the hare brained chatter of irresponsible hysteria.

Starved for news one day, a number of indiscreet disclosures on another, an unyielding government silence this week and a garrulous revelation of plans and resources the next, a contempt of the fears of persistent questioners on one occasion and a knuckling under by popular demand on another, it is not surprising perhaps that we should feel perplexed and that when big news of any kind comes through there should be some perturbation.

It is essential however that to disturbing tidings we should oppose not a foolish complacency but a resolute calm, with all that connotes.

The Germans are fully aware of the part played by the nerves in this great struggle and a panic stricken public. as it has been all the way through, is one of their chief aims. It has to be remembered too that the present aggressive movement was not altogether unforeseen as readers of this column are fully aware and it is unthinkable that public anticipation at home was not shared by military opinion on the spot.

It will have been noted moreover that the German offensive coincides with the period when certain neutrals were preparing to descend from the fence and this is not the least serious of the several aspects of recent events.

Military and other correspondents had long forseen that the German attack when it came would be directed at those presumably weaker spots where lay the junction or junctions of the different national forces, British, French and Belgian.

As events proved the main offensive was aimed at the point where the British forces linked up with the Franco-Belgian forces and the Germans as it was reported here achieved a considerable success.

At the same time our own and the French official statements must not be dismissed as valueless nor is there much wisdom in belittling the actual exploit of the Canadians for theirs was a glorious feat.

The recapture of four guns is proof positive that whatever the extent if the ground lost there was no real loss of morale and while we may have fallen back it entirely discounts the idea that we shall not speedily be pushing forward again and there is as yet no question of the Germans having pierced the allies lines.

A great and determined effort will have to be made to re establish the safety of Ypres for it is a position of great strategic importance but the fact also remains that the enemy advance is not undilutedly bad for us.

Our troops are not going to crumble under pressure and it is generally believed the present movement represents Germany’s maximum effort and their defeat will mean much more than any defeat they have previously sustained.