In the western theatre of the war there has been
little change of importance. There have been the usual attacks and counter-attacks, and, on the whole, the balance has been slightly in favour of the Allies, but that is all. Very little has been heard of what is happening on the British part of the line, but we have every right to believe that no news is good news. As regards military attrition, General Joffre is responsible for the statement that on the basis of the number of dead found on the field, the German losses in the actions of the last two months have been greater than those of the French. Here we may mention that a recent estimate has placed the total German casualties at two and a quarter millions. Of course many of these caanalties are very slight, but we can hardly doubt that, if to the German losses are added those of the Austrians, as they ought to be, the balance will be found to be very much against our enemies. We are too apt, while scrupulously counting Russian, French, British, and Belgian losses, to ignore the Austrian killed, wounded, and prisoners. We must never forget, however, that the collapse of Austria, when it comes —and come it will—must lay open Germany's flank. But to guard that flank will mean that the Germans most with- draw at least a million troops from somewhere.
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