MILITARY VIEW

In military quarters the tone of the reply is regarded as an indication that the German High Command feel more easy in their minds concerning the situation of their armies than they did when the request for an armistice was first launched. These have been withdrawn to certain definite lines, and the view is held that, while it is obviously desired to leave an opening for further talk, the Germans do not now betray so much anxiety to get back to their own frontier. The fact is that the retirement, so far from being disorderly, has shown every sign of skilful organisation, and in all probability the enemy has now reached a general line where he hopes to be able to call a temporary halt. Therefore, from a purely military point of view, he considers that what he has accomplished in the great retreat has for a time staved off his final defeat in the field.