Km-no, as Marshal von Hindenburg's pivoting point for a gigantic
turning movement which threatens the Grand Duke's position all along the line, is of extreme strategic importance. But though that cannot be denied, its fall, or the fall of a hundred Kovnos, will not bring the Germans any nearer to the accomplishment of their essential business of breaking the Russian armies so long as the gallant Russian rearguards give the Grand Duke breathing-time for retreat, and so long as the Russian Staff work remains as skilful as it has been hitherto. To entice the Germans further and further into Russia may, after al], be the undoing of Germany. If she means to go far, we could not wish her worse luck than to go very far. Winter is not a great way off, and the climate of Russia has not materially altered, we believe, since 1812. It is too late in the year for Germany to hope for a triumph in a grandiose scheme.
