THE WAR OF CHANGES.

A characteristic feature of the present war is the constant change in methods of fighting. New weapons are used; then new ways to oppose them must be devised. A more efficient defense leads to an improvement in the attack. Numerous developments take place within a month. Although the forces are still too even to end the "war of positions," yet they are altering many details.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the recent British offensive near Ypres has been the defensive power of machine guns. Reports tell of a generally steady progress, but held up at times by concrete "nests" of automatic rifles. A number of such guns, echeloned in depth, form an essential part of the defense. If, then, such pits can be made strong enough to resist all but the heaviest shells, and can be well camoufied, the resisting power would be very formidable. That the Germans have not made them powerful enough to hold back the English is evident, but they did cause considerable trouble. A strengthening of such-points of resistance would very likely make a fortress. How are such pits to be destroyed? Maybe the tanks will be equipped with heavier guns, so that they can amble up to a "pill box" and fire point blank. Some new weapon or method of attack will certainly be devised to put the machine gun strongholds out of commission. Whatever is contrived, however, will be but one more step in the development taking place along the Western spout.