THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17282, 25 September 1916, Page 6

THE CAMPAIGNS.

TriF. possibility of another German attempt to provoko a peace movomentis mentioned in a New York message this mornjng. It is likely enough that tho enemy would bo glad to he saved tho necessity for another winter campaign, but at this stago tliero is-nothing to suggest that tho Allies would waste oven a minute discussing the question. The winter is not far off, during tho next six weeks or so the Central Powers will Ire subjected to the severest test they have yet endured, and when they have come through tho experience it will bo time enough to weigh up the situation. Wo have discussed in our Notes on tho War some aspects of the Balkan problem, remarking that the manner in which the enemy approaches it will give us an indication of his real strength. A vigorous offensivo is his natural policy, because, even if ho proposes to content himself with holding the frontiers, the task would ho simplified by tho inflictiou of severe losses on the Rumanians and on tho Allies in Macedonia. But tho question in which wo are chiefly interested is tho strength of tho force that can be massed, not merely from Bulgaria'and Turkey, but also from Austria and Germany, for this new campaign. We are anxious to discover tho resources cf the Central Powers, and for tho first timo wo are now likely to havo a reliable indication. Tho function of Rumania in the war is to increase the length of the battle-front, and her intervention has immediately compelled the marked extension of tho enemy's lines. Tf in addition to bolding his froutiers tho enemy is ablo to launch a great offensive in the south-east, wo shall know that he is still a long way from being at tho end of his efficient reserves. Tho Allies in west, cast and south will givo the Central Powers no' rest during tho few remaining weeks of the season, and, although it is reported from Pctrograd that Germany and Austria have already provided thirty divisions for the Balkans, the diversion of so large a force from tho other fronts should bo fraught with considerable danger. ■ ./ ■

In the western theatre there has been much fighting during tho past day or two north and south of the Somme, but the only change reported been the steady improvement of the British position between Thiopval and Coureeletto. In the eastern theatre tho Germans have opened an attack in the region of Lake Narotch, but as yet tho movement reveals no great magnitude. AVo aro dependent on unofficial reports for our nows of the struggle in Galicia, for tho communiques are silent. The correspondents, however, speak of a violent battle north and south of tho Dniester, with the tide running in favour of the Russians. The principal development on the Rumanian front has been tho retreat of tho enemy in the Dobrudja to a lino south of Silistria, where ho has ©ntronehed himself. The situation iu Macedonia is unchanged. With tho advent of dark nights the- v Germans have resumed their Zeppelin raids on tho English coast, hut tho new series has opened inauspiciously for them, one of the dirigibles being brought down in flames.