The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1916. THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 74, 25 October 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1916. THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

England was never so fully assured of the outcome of the war as at this time, and that assurance strengthens day by day. The latest Home mails bring much evidence of this . spirit and show elearlv there is no weaken-

ing or shirking from the great task, no matter what the sacrifice or what

yi'ie! the nation has to hear. At the end of August, The Nation published ■ forecast from a prominent Minister in ivliich he expressed the view that the war would last two years more. This high official, early in September reconsidered the position and made the following statement: "I find growing a feeling of confidence among military authorities that the Allies, more particularly the French, may succeed during the next six weeks in making ;i far more formidable break o.n the Somine' front than any yetforecasted. This belief is based on the marvellous effect of the concentrated French artillery liro. One high authority goes so far as to say General Foch, by his scientific methods, lias solved the problem of trench warfare, and the complete turning of the German Western line is now demonstrably proved. It is only a matter of time for General Foch's crowning success, lie has inJlicted on the

Somme from over twice as ninny casualties upon the Germans as the French have suffered. Great tilings are expected in all fields during the next month, but the Western developments may well be overshadowed by tremendous pending eastern moves." Nevertheless, though this assurance prevails, there is a feeling that the war will last over the present winter, and while authorities admit that though many of the factors which were doubtful when the general offensive began art' now accurately known, there is as yet no swift and wonderful solution apparent of the stubborn difficulties of trench warfare. Mr J. ( L. Garvin considers that the Allies have learned so much that there may he encouraging surprises, but he does not think they will he decisive enough to precipitate a conclusion of the war much before the third anniversary of its declaration. Less hopeful people do not hold that the end may be expected so soon as that. Mr Garvin points out-that in his estimate of time Lord Kitchener seemed to have a, peculiar sagacity in his hones. He liked to give himself three years or thereabouts for all his chief ■ tasks.!

He had required about three years for the> smashing of the Mahdi and reconquest of the Soudan. He rememhered that the Boer war lasted nearly three years. A somewhat similar period had been required from his landing in India for the completion of his military reforms. But when he first said that a conflict of this collossal and frightful character would last three years he stood alone in Europe. Lord Kitchener's estimate appalled many people and found little favour with our Allies, while tlie Germans scouted the idea of three years' modern war, such war they proposed to wage as utterly impossible. But now all sides are facing the truth of this great soldier's judgment. Therefore it behoves us. still to put forth every effort to find men and money to carry on the great campaign to complete and final victory, a victory that can only he attained by the supremest effort.