The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1916. TAKING NO RISKS.
According' - to.M. Marcel Hutin, public opinion in Germany has been at white heat since Douauinont was reached. The Crown Prince, he adds, being unable to afford to disappoint the public by ordering a halt, new, merciless and hopeless attacks are proceeding. That is the positionjfto-day, but there are not wanting those who appear to be greatly concerned that the British, under Sir Douglas Haig, have not taken advantage of tlie opportunity to assist the Fernch at Verdun by delivering a smashing blow in the Ypre3 district; so as to create a diversion that would draw off a large portion of the German forces at Verdun. There are weighty reasons why at this juncture the Allies should take no unnecessary risks. It was only recently that Colonel Repington (with whose views, for once, it is a pleasure to agree) expressed this opinion: "Our cue is to keep cool and not deplete our main reserve." There is not the slightest need for anyone to worry because the British tioops have not undertaken an important offensive movement. They are closely acting with the Franco-Belgian forces, fiifid when the right moment for striking a decisive blow arrives they will be in the forefront of the movement. It must be remembered that General .Toffre is playing this hand, and at present he finds the play affords him so much satisfaction that he is rubbing his hands with glee. If he had needed British help at this juncture he had only to ask for it, and the fact that lie did not take that course should be a sufficient indication that lie, does not need assistance, and that there is no occasion for the British to bo hustled into a premature offensive. It is, moreover, obvious that tht Western line can only be forced by an overwhelming superiority in artillery, and it is doubtful if the Allies liave that superiority at the present time, though they have ample for defensive tactics. It would also appear that the Allies deem it advisable to encourage the Germans to develop their furious onslaught to the utmost of their capacity, and the wisdom of sucli a policy cannot be disputed. We have only to bear in mind one important factor —the tremendous losses inflicted on the enemy—to realise that the present tactics of the Allies are based on sound reasoning. Before long Germany will have to face formidable assaults in several theatres, and in the meanwhile it is sound strategy to encourage her to fling her massed warriors into the pit of destruction in the wholesale way that has marked the operations at Vcrdnn. The British are exhibiting just enough activity in the Ypres sector to keep the Germans in a st»te of tension and to add fuel to their frenzied attacks that lead to little beyond a huge loss of life. The great aim at present is evidently to compel the enemy to extend their lines, and «o give the Allies' forces ample room *£ SttMWfi *od it would seea that
the key to the future success of the Ailies is the Balkans, For some time past troops have been pouring into Salonika; the Serbian army is in process of reorganisation and re-equipment; the Russians are preparing to co-operate in this and other theatres with enormous forces; the Bulgarians are losing their filth in the Austro-Germans, and the Roumanians are ready to strike when they are assured thj.t by joining tie Allies tliey will be oh the winning side. The success of the Russians at Erzerum has bad a most telling efl'ect both on Turkey and Koumania, and the failure of the Germans' to break through the' French position at Verdun will certainly prove fatal to their hold on the assistance of the Turks. As Colonel Repington says: "Our cue is to keep cool and to take no unnecessary risks." Th,c general tone of the Paris press Is that of absolute confidence in the impregnability of the French new line, and the importation of deneral von Haseler (the Devil of Mete) to act under the Kaiser's orders may be regarded more as an omen of evil for the Germans than as an element of success.
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Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1916, Page 4
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705The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1916. TAKING NO RISKS. Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1916, Page 4
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