19 FEBRUARY 1916, Page 2

In a word, all the signs point to the Germans

hurling them- solves upon the Allies. That they will make:their grand hammer- stroke upon the Western front seems also logical. Experience has shown them that they can overrun Serbia, make themselves masters of the Bulgarian forces, paralyse Greece, for the time at any rate sterilize Rumania, threaten Egypt, and galvanize Turkey into pressing hard upon Mesopotamia, and yet be unable to reap any substantial military benefits from their Balkan successes. The German General Staff know well enough by this time that 'they have got nothing out of 'their Balkan, adventures which will really help them to win the war. Therefore the great effort must be made either in Russia or the West. But .the thought of pressing any further into Russia frightens them. They have learnt what a terrific engine of war is a Russian retreat in force. It nearly brought them disaster last. autumn, and they are not going to risk it a second time, especially in.the mud of spring.