20 FEBRUARY 1915, Page 2

The Russian checks on their two flanks are, of course,

annoying, as they mean lose of time, but there is not the slightest ground for alarm. The Ruesians are not only hold- ing np an enormous force of Germane and Austrians, but the wastage of the enemy's troops as they hurl themselves on the Russian lines is literally tremendous. Another month or two of operations of this kind and the German and Austrian Armies will be worn threadbare. Remember, also, that the German and Austrian advances are purely defensive and lead nowhere. The integrity and essential military power of Russia are not menaced by them. If the Germane and Austrians were to push the Russians back even for a hundred miles, they would have accomplished nothing in the way of injury to Russia, though no doubt they would have greatly delayed Russia's advance. Local German successes in Poland may prolong the war. They cannot win it.