22 MAY 1915, Page 1

The news during the week from the western theatre of

the war has been distinctly good. The French have made very considerable progress, and are slowly but surely gaining ground at the point where the line turns northwards. The same thing is true of the British on their left. In the region of La Basses we have done exceedingly well, and, like the French, though on a smaller scale, have captured a very con- siderable number of prisoners. The readiness of the German, to yield themselves is a very significant feature of recent operations. First-line troops do not succumb in this fashion. They are not only more steadfast in refusing surrender, but are also much mere careful not to put themselves into posi- tions which demand surrender. Here, then, we have one of the best omens for our ultimate success. The Germane have almost got to the end of their highly trained troops, and before long we shall be fighting little else but their raw levies. lithe Germans retort " What hare you to put against them but raw levies ? " our answer is : " The natural gallantry and combative instinct of the British soldier will always give our raw levies the superiority over those of any other nation."