21 OCTOBER 1916, Page 2

If we can now only get one of those spells

of semi-summer weather with which the end of October and the beginning of November sometimes favour us, we should hear of very big doings on the Western front. It is indeed all a question of weather. But even if the genii of the storm cannot be lulled and Aeolus fails to contain them in his caves, it must not be supposed that the Germans will be let off their punishment. There will be no " winter quarters " lull this year. All that will happen if the weather plays us false will be that the 'hammering will be less hard than it wouldotherwise have been.