NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE battle of the Somme, a battle destined, it may be, to
prove the greatest and most decisive of land encounters, which began a fortnight ago to-day, is still proceeding, and with results wholly favourable to ourselves and our Allies. Judged by every test of trench fighting, we are winning, and winning steadily. The first and most important test is that of unwounded prisoners. The Allies have taken well over twenty thousand. The next test is the taking of ground, and here there can be no excuse for mistake or misunderstanding. We have not merely captured first-line trenches and support trenches, but in places have reached the German second line. The third test is the ability to resist counter-attacks. We have been able to hold what we have taken. The great feature of the present war has been the counter-attack. The French, indeed, may be said to have based their trench tactics upon the counter-attack. During the past week the German counter- attacks have been many, but none of them has been permanently successful, and in most cases they have not even secured a tem- porary or partial triumph.
