The news from the Russian line is promising in the
northern and in the middle sections, but best of all in the South, where the Austrian opposition is growing distinctly feeble. When we remember that the struggle here is visible to the Roumanians—it is proceeding close to their frontier—it is impossible to doubt that it will have a very considerable effect on the situation in the Balkans. Of the Russian movement generally, the well-informed Petrograd corre- spondent of the Morning Post, writing in Thursday's issue, goes so far as to say : " The great move on the Russian front has begun, and the Verdun fiasco is thereby doubly emphasized for those who understand." For ourselves, we believe that these optimistic words are fully justified. Even those who cling to the old mood of caution tinged with pessimism must at any rate admit that the Russians are wisely anticipating the German attack by themselves attacking.
