In the Russian theatre of the war Marshal von Hindenburg
is still striving to take Dvinsk, and claims mummies daring the week. It is very doubtful, however, whether his claims can be made good, and we should not be surprised if in the end the German efforts here and at Riga, which once looked so promising, proved unsuccessful. It is true that the outskirts of Riga are under fire from German guns, but it is very much to be doubted whether Riga can be taken except with the aid of a naval force. But the Germans are very shy of naval action in the Baltic, which is now controlled not by them but by British submarines. The Germans, indeed, are much puzzled how to meet this menace, and are eagerly looking forward to the waters being closed by ice. By this means they hope to get several months free from their recent anxieties. While dealing with the Eastern frout we must not forget to record that in the earlier part of the week the Russians continued their advance on the Styr—that is, in the most southern portion of their line, and took a large number of prisoners.
