NOTES ON THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2226, 12 August 1914, Page 4

NOTES ON THE WAR

War theorists have almost unanimously admitted that in the. event of. war with Prance Germany would require to press forward so rapidly, through Belgium that there would bo 'no timefor'Trench or. British troops Ho strengthen 'the Belgian forces at tho fortified positions on the llivsr Mouse. Some writers have even held that Germany's sole hope of success in the north depended on her troops striking a vital blow at this point before the arrival of French or British reinforcements. If these ideas are'sound, and they are generally accepted _ as being so, then Germany has failed, and failed ba'dly, in her initial effort. To-day we are told that British and French troops have, functioned with the Belgian forces across the German lino of advance in the'vicinity, of Liege. This, of course, does not mean'that the German position is hopeless, but it does mean that owing to the unexpected stand made by the Belgians, the whole German plan of campaign in the north has been dislocated and the difficulties of an advance by this route immeasurably increased, when the British troops actually crossed tho Straits of Dover, and in what numbers have been kept from us. The generally understood plan was to dispatch an expeditionary force of 160,000 men, and it is probable that this has been carried out. The transport of this large body of men could not havo been attempted had it not been known that the German fleet was bottled up where for the time being it could do no harm. Interest in events at the centres of conflict will be quickened by the knowledge that our own countrymen l are now in the fighting line.

The position at Liege prior to the arrival of the British and French troops appears to have undergone little change. During the various attacks on Belgian positions a portion of the German troops appear to have got between the forts which surround tho town and taken possession of the town. Our readers _ will havo seen from the plan published in yesteriday'e issue that this does'not mean that the Gorman forces have made any material progress in their task of subduing the forts which bar their progress. JPho town is surrounded , by a ring of 12 isolated forts, eacli fort .being from 4000 to 7000 yards distant from its fellow, and from 6000 to 8000 yards from the centre of the town itself. That is to say, the forts are quite separate from and independent of the town. It is the forts and not the town that the Germans havo to conquer ere they can make a forward move, and despite their desperate onslaughts they have not been ablo to capturo a single ono of these forts, although a late message which is coming to hand as this page goes to press seems to indicate that one fort nas been* silenced. While the reports of tho casualties may have been exaggerated there cannot be any doubt that the Germans, in attacking tho forts, must have suffered tremendously ; while tho Belgian losses also would seem to have been heavy. The capture of 8000 Germans which is officially confirmed is also a significant of tho desperate plight in which tho German forces must have found themselves at ono stage of the conflict. With the addition of the British and French troops to strengthen the position the prospects for the German advance meeting with success at this point seem remote. The allies, if in sufficient force, probably will attempt a forward move and carry the war into the enemy's country. Much, however., will depend on how far mobilisation has proceeded on tho French frontier. The story which comes from Paris that tlio Kaiser is n, captive in the Isaudti of Uio Gorman war Party

probably has been given 'birth through a too literal interpretation of a figure of speech. It would be correct no doubt to say that • the Kaiser had been captured liy the War Party, meaning thereby that the Way Party had won him over to their views; but that is a very different thing to the story now circulated. The last that was heard of Kaiser William was that ho had gone to Aix-la-Chapollc , , the spot from which the movement of his troops against Belgium originated. Belgium for the moment is the centre of vital concern to Germany and the fact that the Kaiser has thought it necessary to get into touch with his Genernls who arc conducting operations there may be taken to indicate that tho situation is occasioning concern. Possibly, however, it is merely that the Kaiser wishes to inspire his troops by «i personal visit and at the same time secure firsthand information as to the progress of the campaign. _In any. case the story ■of his captivity is no doubt pure moonshine. ..

A cunious message came- to hand yesterday dated Tokio, August 10. As received it read: Japan issued ultimatum conformity with ,stop message censored. Heading between tho lines it would seem-that a message had been put in for transmission, stating that Japan had issued an ultimatum in conformity with something, but that the message had been stopped by the censor. Probably tho censor meant to stop the whole message but crossed out only a portion of it, the balance coming through in the mutilated form shown above. Speculation on the'matter would be profitless in view of,the fact that a later message states that tha Japanese Ambassador in London has denied that any-ultimatum has been issued at all. It is apparent, however, that feeling in Japan in favour of participation in tho war is running high. Japan no doubt would be very glad of aii excuse to make a bid for Gerin tho Far East.

A feature of Britain's position in this great war that is worthy of admiration is the Excellent business arrangements .that have been made at very short notice. The situation has been boldly faced, and every factor that presented itself-has beep carefully weighed and contingencies provided for, so that now there is every probability that-the .trade and commerce of the Empire will be maintained on what, under the circum-' stances, must ba considered a very satisfactory basis. Taking the Imperial connection with Australasia, insurance can be effected on all cargoes to the United Kingdom at £5 ss. per cent., which a moderate rate, while freights to Australia have risen by 25 per cent.. The. charges are not .oppressive and can be easily faced by the people. ■ The'-Bank of England, which last week exhibited extraordinary figures in its weekly balance-sheet,. is again beginning to gather.in the gold. A day or two , ago it was stated that £3,000,000 was received from tho United States, and now about £2,500,000 .more has been ; received. The disturbance to. trade should not be so .serious as was at first anticipated, because all nations are endeavouring to avoid checking business; on the contrary, .efforts are being more or less concentrated: in encouraging trade and commerce to revert to their natural channels. A particularly interesting point for New Zealand is the fact, that crossbred wool is in .demand for khaki clothing for the troops. We would commend to the notice- of merchants; .traders, and the public generally the appeal of the British Chamber of Commerce to endeavour to maintain the volume of trade between Britain and the overseas Dominions. It means much both to the people here and in the Mother Country. ;

The splendid Response which the people .of New Zealand are making to the call of the Government for men, horses, and'money-to assist'the Empire in the present international crisis shows that .in their opinion Imperialism is" something much more than fine words about the unity of the Empire. The country has been roused from the North Gape to - tho Bluff, and the citizens are displaying a generosity in their gifts which is probably unparalleled in the history of the Dominion. . New Zealanders are quite convinced that Brk tain- has right on her side. As Cardinal Bourne has said, "there (can be no question of the justness of the war." Knowing this all sections of the community have whole-heartedly resolved that this . Dominion will cheerfully do all that it can do to ensure the safety of the Empire and the defeat of its foes. The women are doing their,part with an enthusiasm that is beyond all praise. They are determined to see'that the men who are about to leave these shores to serve the Empire in other parts of tho world aro well provided for as far as underclothing is concerned, and hundreds of women are at the present time busily occupied in making'all the garments required before the troops sail.

The audience which took part in thofjsatriotic demonstration held in the Town Hall last night provided a fair sample of public feeling 'in connection with the war. Although, as tho Hon. James Allen said, the present is a time for action rather than words, it was nevertheless a good thing to give tho people an . opportunity of giving vont to. their views. A resolution expressing determination to stand by the Em? pire and assist in every possible way was carried enthusiastically,! and a, collection taken 1 up in the hall amounted to no less than £525. The Prime" Minister announced that fifts were pouring in at the rate of 10,000 a day. This is a striking proof of the loyal enthusiasm of tho citizens of New Zealand. Eeference to the heroic manner in which the Belgians have barred the path of tho invaders of their, country evoked hoarty cheers from the gathering, and all the speakers were loudly applauded. Mr. Allen's' advice to the people to do their utmost to keep the works going was very timely. The great advantage, of Britain's sea power is that it keeps the waterways open for trade, and enables tho' ordinary business of tho country to be carried on. The position of a nation that can maintain its trade and industries when it is at war 'is almost impregnable. It cannot bo starved, and it does not feel the privations of war nearly so acutely as a country whoso commerce is practically annihilated. The. British Empire, is fortunately in command of the tml& routes, and every British community should do its utmost to make the fullest use of this advantage. By keeping her trade and industries going to the utmost of her power Now Zealand will bo doing good service both to herself and to the Em-'