NOTES ON THE WAR.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2233, 20 August 1914, Page 4

NOTES ON THE WAR.

From Diest (Belgium) in the north to Belfort (France) in the south is something like 250 miles as the crow Hies. Over practically the whole of this long line the armies of the Allies are faced with the battalions of Germany and Austria. The • main forces are located in the north between Diest and Dinant, a distance .of some 50 miles. For the next 100. miles along the line indicated is mostly rough country more or less, impassable to large .bodies of troops, d over this country only comparatively small forces are operating. Further south to Belfort larger forces are in the field,, but not so large-as in Belgium. That about sums up the position on the eastern frontiers of 1 ranee and _ Belgium. Tho cable news to-day indicates that in Belgium over a stretch of about 80 to 100 miles the German forces arc in the position of an invading army operating in Belgian, territory. In the far south, from Marsal (east of Nancy) to Dannemaire (on the railway between Mulhausen and Belfort), a distance of about 100 miles, • the position is reversed, and. the • French troops have invaded German territory (Alsace-Lorraine), holding all the strategic points in force. For the time being there appears to have been a lull in active Hostilities in Belgium, but in the far south the French are pushing home their advantage. The capture by the French of the strategic points; in the Vosgcs Ranges is of 'immense importance, as it places the French forces in a strong position to press forward against Strassburg, the capital. of Alsace-Lorraine, and also leaves them well situated to meet a counterattack. These successes of the French troops in Alsace-Lorraine and further north at Dinant appear to have been very complete.' It is becoming increasingly plain that the superiorit) claimed for the French artillery was fully warranted, and it must jrove an important factra in the campaign. Superior artillery fire_is something more to a force than its physical effect on the'enemy; it is a /norai factor as well in heartening the force with which it is associated and in correspondingly demoralising those who have to face it. One of the dangers of the "machine" method of warfare which Germany has adopted—at least so tho critics tell us—is the far-reaching consequences of the breakdown of a single movement in tho carefully-pieced-together plan of campaign. If the unforeseen happens everything is liable to be ."thrown into confusion. Something of this kind would seem to. have happened as the result of the unexpected check in Belgium. It, ' has been stated that as a consequence' -of tho "hold up," the German corps, coming up one., behind the other in accordance with, tho pre-arranged scheme of invasion, ai;o piling up against the "crippled front" and becoming hopelessly congested.- While it would not be wise to plaoe too much reliance on reports of this character, the fact cannot be ignored that just such incidents as this were predicted by critics of German military methods long before the war broke out. The weaknesses of tho machine system were pointed out in an article by the military correspondent of the London Times, whioh we republished a few days ago, , anil Mr. Belloc expressed similar opinions in an article in the London Marfazine in 1911.- Mr:' Belloo states that a very careful and, -.detailed plan, which makes the whole dependent upon every part, kills initiative and breeds a ridiculous Eelf-confi-dence—for the plan must,'succeed as a whole or not at all—and is designed only for tho particular case of immediate success. "It spells utter .collapso when circumstances cut across the meticulous plan and spoil it." Mr. Belloo mentions that there have been exactly two specimens of German military activity in the last 40 years. "The German was the latest and the slowest, and the worst equipped of the aontingents designed for the relief of tho Peking ,liegations"; while in the Herreros campaign "a handful of savages, fighting in'open country, were overcome oi'Vbought out'at an expense of twenty-two million pounds. . . . In that ' utter breakdown Germany got rid of the value of eleven Dreadnought's." -Mr. Belloc is convinced that the French soldier is, man -for man, the superior of the German. All such comparisons are very largely a matter of opinion and impression. German methods and men are now being put to the test of actual war, but it is too early yet to say what the final verdict will bo.

The news of the Russian advanco in the East continues encouraging. The last definite news to hand indicated that the Russian troops had -invaded Germany from the north, where they had captured Memel, in t-hs Baltic Sea, and had proceeded as far as' Insterburg; while in the south they had invaded Austria by way of Crajicia. To-day's informameagre, but it now seems that the invasion is being made from five separate points, and that as a consequence of this forward movement tho Austro-German advance has been stopped. There is also mention of .-Russian successes in such encounters as have..taken place, but none of these apparently has- been of any importance. _ The main forces no doubt are still some distance apart. An attack on the important seaport town' of Konigsberg possibly may be t-h'i.next news of note in connection with the Russian advance. Little Montenegro is making her waspish presence, felt by Austria in Dalmatia, on the Adriatic _ Sea. _ Although comparatively insignificant when compared with Austria, both Servia and Montenegro', now that Austria .has her hands full elsewhere, wilj prove a,source of much trouble to the Austro-German Alliance. The Servians' and Montenegrin's are fine fighters, and they have many old scores to wipe out.

_ Definite .news of. tho transportation of British troops to the scene of conflict is at last to hand. Eakl Kitchener would seem to have prepared his plans with characteristic thoroughness, and with the utmost secrecy; and fcliey were . carried through without the slightest hitch. Although it was generally expectcd that this would be the.case it is none cno less gratifying to learn that the passage across was safely accomplished We are kept in doubt as to the actual place or places of landing, but it can be taken for granted that ere this was written the troops har 1 reached Belgian soil and were somewhere handy to the fighting line. The of British troops imtnrall, v j aroused great enthusiasm in France, not merely to account of the addi-l

tion they represented to the Allied Forces,* but because they afforded a tangible proof to the people that Britain is prepared .to do her full share in the great struggle now disturbing the whole world. In Belgium Field-Marshal French and nk troops will be • welcomed with even greater enthusiasm, for the people of Belgium look to Britain more than to_ any other country, for the preservation of their national existence. The messages'of the Kino and Earl Kitchener to the troops oil the eve of their departure will stir a responsive chord'in the breasts of all who take pride in the traditions of British arms. '

There is.a, decided hint of activity | in the North Sea. The actual news is meagre enough—merely a long— range brush between reconnoitring cruisers from the German base ancl the outer fringe of small craft covering the front of the blockading fleet —but it is the first sign of life on the part of the German fleet since the sinking of a submarine by the cruiser Birmingham. Possibly the incident may mean nothing, but on the other hand it may be the beginning of activities by the Commander of the • German Fleet. _ The position of the blockading fleet is by no means an_ enviable one. It not only requires to be constantly on the alert for any signs of attack by submarines; or an attack in force; but it 'has to maintain its position in all matters and to carry out the necessary. ooaling operations, etc., at sea. The strain in suoh circumstances must be a heavy one; and no doubt the German Commander has this in mind. A storm in the North Sea just now- would_ also be a factor which might assist to bring matters to -a crisis. This, however, is mere speculation. We shall hear soon enough, no doubt, when the actual clash takes place,-and in the meantime the inaction of the German Fleet has left the trade route's of the world open to British oommerce, while German shipping and tradi have come to a standstill.

A cablegram which we publish today. announces that the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Harcoijkt) has "emphatically expressed his conviction that thero need be no apprehension that Britain will lose 'the command of the seas." The term ''command -of the sea" is in very fre-quent-use at such times as the present, but the full moaning of the words is not always understood. The late Sib Geoffrey. Hornby, an able naval strategist, has placed these words on record: . "I consider that I have command of the sess when lam able to tell my' Govern-n-.ent that they can move an expedition to any point without fear <jf interference from an enemy's fleet." The nation- which holds command •of the'sea is'in a position to control the lines of communication and to prevent tho enemy's warships from leaving their own ports or moving from, place to place without having to do battle" with a superior force. :It is also in a position to ruin tho ■ enemy's trade by capturing his merchantmen or making, the seas too dangerous for them. This is what, Britain is ablo to do at present, and it is gratifying td know that Mr.| Harcoubt, 'who is fully acquainted with the situation in tho North Sea' and elsewhere, can speak so confidently of Britain's power to maintain the.great advantage she at present possesses. • " .

There seems to be a considerable athount of uncertainty regarding the immediate destination' of New Zealand's Expeditionary ; Force. Tho Minister of Defence (the Hon. James Allen) stated yesteraay that he did not know that therg would be any training at Home for our; men, as he had not-received any official information on the subject. As far as he knew they were going to the front. It 1 is, however, doubtful if Earl Kitchener will-allow the New Zealanders to be sent to the Continent until they have undergone a certain amount of training in Britain. His new army; scheme shows that ho does not believe in sending men who have not been subjected to a thorough and complete coursc of instruction to faco firmies trained like machines after the.German style. A cablegram whioh appears in another part of this issue states that Lord Kitchener will have no ""half-baked soldiers" to fight against the Germans and Austrians. It is not quite clear whether he has actually made a statement to the above effect, or.whother, it is merely a newspaper opinion based on the provisions of his new armj; scheme. It is undoubtedly "in keeping with his reputation for thoroughness, and is also in accordance with views wl ich have been expressed by Lord Roberts regarding tho folly of pitting' half-trained men, however brave and intelligent, against troops which have gone through a long bourse of . instruction'and rigid discipline. It seems probable tnat the New Zealand Expeditionary Force will have to undergo a period of training that will bring themiup to tho standard of efficiency required by Earl Kitchener before being sent to tne front. ■