WAR ON LAND.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15047, 15 August 1914, Page 11

WAR ON LAND.

GERMAN DOCTRINE

To-daj wo arc informed that the German advance towards tho Belgian centre has been abandoned. Daring tho past three days different telegrams state that they aro entrenching themselves at' Luxemburg, Rochofort, Bustogne, Liege, and Vise. A glance at tho map of Belgium shows all these places aro on the Liege-Luxemburg lino, that is to say, tho front the enemy is supposed to bo holding. If these reports are reliable, and we see no reason to doubt them, tho Germans aro throwing up earthworks and preparing the ground for defence along tho whole of their front of ninety miles in Belgium. This affords food for reflection and speculation at tho present moment. Have the Germans, who have

led us to belicTo they will be in Paris in a wool;, abandoned the idea of invading France? Havo they, awed by the junction of 250.C00 British and Belgian soldiers with the French army, decided to await tho attack of their enemies? Tho German doctrine of war, based on tho teaching of Clausowits. and tho practice of yon Moltke, is inspired wholly and entirely- by the principle that tho destruction of the enemy's main army is tho ono true goal of warlike effort, and that it is to bo brought about by tho application of superior force, at the decisive point, at the decisive time. For this a vigorous and unrelenting offensivo is necessary. This cult of tho offensivo is ingrained in the blood of the Germans. They hope that the enemy, bewildered by early and vigorous attacks, pressed at all points with snch resolution that he does not know whk'h way to turn, his flanks crushed in by tho arms of somo mighty octopus, will either bo destroyed where ho stands, or will use. his reserves to cover his and so escape n Sedan by accepting a LiaoYang. Hence tho worship of the offensivo which the German armies of to-day. If, therefore, this entrenching along their front is preparatory to adopting a defensive role, tho whole aspect of tho war on Franco has changed. The writer cannot bring himself to believe, however, that the concentration of almost -•ill their forces on the Belgian frontier has beon done except with the intention of assuming the offensivo. This offensive should now bo in full swing. Tho imagination sinks back appalled and horrified at tho contemplation of the impending impact of nearly two million men, 30GO quickfiring cannon, 10,000 maxims, and 50,000 sabres.

Details of tho great cavalry fight near Thirlomont and Diest, which wo referred to yesterday, are to hand. The Belgians only are mentioned, and, according to their own reports, they have again acquitted themselves well. Tho 4th German Cavalry Division has put in ait appearanco in tho neighbourhood of Luxemburg. The main Belgian army lias probably fallen back so as to bo in a position to co-operate with tho French and British armies, who are reported to havo joined hands. EASTERN THEATRE. Austrian advanced detachments in Galicia aro falling back before tho Russians, who are now ready to advance, in conjunction with tho Servians. The Germans aro stated to be entrenching their position on tho Polish frontier. To make certain of a numerical superiority over the allied armies in France, they havo withdrawn all their first-line army corps from tho eastern front, leaving reservists to hold up tho Russian armies, which should bo in motion in a week's time. Wo shall not bo surprised if the Russians threaten Berlin before tho Germans aro in sight of Paris. The Servians aro showing signs of activity as tho Austrian pressure decreases, owing to demands from olsewhere. From Sydney wo havo the first confirmatory news that a British army ie on the Continent.

Lord Roberts has bcon appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the oversea Dominion forces. This is purely an honorary appointment, and does not in tho least imply that ho will again bo cmploved in tne field. v