NOTES ON THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2237, 25 August 1914, Page 4

NOTES ON THE WAR

A broad survey of "the war situation to-day affords good ground for satisfaction. In Belgium at time of

writing there is little of importance recorded beyond the fact that the Germans are pushing forward to the French frontior'near Lille, and that a N force has been'' detached to invest Antwerp. Our latest cable news, which usually arrives after this' page goes to press, may throw some- light on the situation, there, but at present all we know is that the forward movement of the Germans bas gone on as expected. Directly rsffly will meet the Allies in force near the frontier, and the first great battle will be fought For this we must wait. There is littlo to record from Alsace, but what comes from there is satisfactory. The driving, of the Germans across the Rhine in Southem Alsace should prove of great' value to the French forces in freeing their movements in this quarter.: It should not be forgotten that a large stretch of German territory here is now in the hands of the French. Further north, where the Germans appeared to be holding their own, there is news now that they have evacuated the country round Longwy and Briey, on the frontier north-west of their strongUioid at Metz.' In Eastern Germany and Austria the Russians have scored a series of, successes, have captured a number of towns, and pushed forward their lines over 'a long stretch of German territory. The Servians appear to have inflicted a heavy defeat on the Austrians in the south, confirmatory evidence of this coming from several quarters. The critical state of the old Emperor Francis Joseph will greatly embarrass the Austrians, and his death might cripple their efforts altogether; owing to the internal troubles which would be certain to arise. Japan is now definitely at war with' Ger- 1 many; Italy seems to be on the threshold of joining the Allies, aod Turkey has been convinced that it is better for her to remain neutral than "to attempt to assist Germany: The news budget to-day is almost entirely composed of good tidings from tho point of view of the Allies.

The ingenious newspaper correspondents who are describing in detail the position of the allied forces should not be taken too. seriously. The London Daily Ghronicle } for instance, states that half a million of tho allied troops are drawn up in a great triangle in Southern Belgium, with the apex at Namur.i One side o? the triangle is said' t'o stretch from Namur westward through Charleroi to Mons, a distance of 40 miles; the other side from Namur southward to Givet, a distance of 25 miles; while tho base, from Mons to Givet through Phillipsville covers a distance of 45 miles. It is quite feasible that the Allies would defend in'force this part of Southern Belgium.. In fact, writers on the possibilities of tho invasion of France have considered an advance down the banks of the Mouse past Namur and Givet as highly probable. Further south for some distance the country is impassable .to large bodies of troops, while in the north the French fortresses are much, stronger than at this point.' One writer has remarked that the French had purposely left this way open to an invading army as it would force the invaders to meet the French forces where the French would most . like to meet them: But if the pail;/ Chronicle's story of the disposition of the allied troops is correct, where was the censor that he has allowed information of such value to the enemy to go out to the world? \

Russia's advance in Germany is necessarily slow. Tho country is well fortified, and in many cases offers natural obstacles'.which will ere long increase the difficulties to be encountered. But there can be no doubt that the forward movement is being steadily pressed on over a wide range of country. Taking Germany alone,' wo have had news, during the past few days of Russian operations extending over the Russo-German frontier from Memel on the Baltic Sea to 'Willenbcrg in the south, a distance of some 160 miles. Along this line of country the Russians claim a number of successes. They have captured the towns of Memel, Gumbinnen, Insterburg, Lyck, and Lotzen. Memel and Lyck are near the Russian border, Gumbinnen is about ,25 miles within tho boundary of Germany, and Iristerburg and Lotzen about 40 miles from the frontier. Thus over a large extent of territory the Russian troops have made a nig sweeping movement in a westerly direction, which does not seem likely, to meet with any serious check until the River Vistula is reached. This might be termed the northern invasion of Germany. Along the Vistula, which is one of tho largest rivers in Europe, are several strongly fortified positions, and here the northern Russian- forces will meet with their first really serious obstacle.' Just past the fortified town of Thorn the river runs in Russian territory. The movement of Russian troops 'south of this, point is un. known. Between Tljorn - and tjia

Austrian frontier the way through Germany for an invading force is opposed by a string of fortresses, some little distance back from the frontier, the most formidable- of which is Posen, considered by some to be the most strongly ' fortified town in the world. Military critiGS have- expressed the opinion that to successfully attack Germany by this route would _ require an enormous force; to which it may be answered that Russia has an.enormous force available. We heard a few days ago of Russian operations at Kalisz, which wouldbe a likely point for an advance into Central Germany. We may have news from this direc-

tion any day, but probably the main Russian invasion will be by way of the north, as shown above.

The news from Austria is very confusing as to details. We have been told of a number of Russian successes, and here and there have been indications of checks'" and reverses. Neither successes nor reverses appear to have been of any great importance, and varying fortune was only to be expected. It would be extremely foolish to expect that in d great war like this the successes would all go in the one direction. There will be many ups and downs before the fighting is ended. The Austrians pre now. claiming a success near Lemberg. Whether they have good groun'd for this claim remains to bo seen, i Tho fact of- importance for the moment is that it is plain from the Austrians' own admission that the Russian troops have penetrated well into Galicia. Lemberg, which is the capital of the Province of Galicia, is some 45 miles from the Russian frontier, and about 55 miles from the point at which tho Russians are reported to haveontered Austrian territory in the east. This may be taken to show that the Russians have made considerable progress in this quarter.

Since the above was written/still better news has come to hand of the Russian invasion of Germany Austria.. In the north, between In.' sterburg and Lotzen, three German Army Uorps are reported to have been encountered and forced'to re-

treat, with heavy loss, to the farther side of the River Augerapp. This river is a tributary of the River Pregel, which empties into the Frisches Haff at Konigsberg. ■ The Augerapp runs almost due north and south between Insterburg and Lotzen, and the Russian success is claimed to be of great strategical importance. If three German Army Corps were encountered-there must have been something like 120,000 Germans in the field. The occupa-

tion of a:number of additional towns is recorded as far south as Soldau. From Insterburg to Soldau is 120 miles, and over the whole length of this country, according to the advices to hand to-day| the., Russians have, just met with' successes of varying importance. In Austria there have been further successes, but the exact locality is at the moment difficult to determine.

Japan's ultimatum to Germany respecting having failed to olicit a satisfactory reply, the Japanese Government has now declared war against Germany.'' .The purpose of Japan/is >to oust the Germans from Kiaocbau and restore this ter-

ritory to China; and to protect merchant .vessels, trading ; in the . Far East against German cruisers. Apparently it is not the intention of Japan to act outside her own immediate sphere of interest. One effect, howovor, will be to release for service •elsewhere the majority of the British warships in the China Sea and at the East Indies. On a pre? vious occasion we pointed out. the importance of this to Britain, not only in freeing vessels to hunt down German cruisers in the Pacific, and destroy wireless stations, but also to provide escorts if necessary for the troopships from Australia and New Zealand. It will be seen that the Japanese do not regard the baking of the forts at Kiaochau as a light task. During the past few years the forts have' been greatly strengthened, they have a large garrison, and are said to be pro- ( visioned for eight months. Japan's' estimate is that it will take threo months to carry out the task of reducing them. Possibly this means that if is not the intention of the Japanese authorities to take any unnecessary risks. On the.other hand," it is more likely that they are'keeping their real intentions to themselves,- and that the suggestion of the necessity for a prolongecl siege is merely a cover for' .their actual plans. In any case Japan's appearance in the ranks of- the active supporters of the Allies is a welcome one, ,

Ever since the war commenced the •world has been anxiously wondering what Italy would eventually do. At first it. was assumed that, as a member of the Triple Alliance,' she would throw in her lot with Austria and Germany, and her declaration of neutrality caused some surprise. She stated that she was in no way bound to take pari in an offensive war against France, and in spite of threats from Germany she has 60 far declined to be drawn into, tie struggle. The latest turn of events indicates that if she does any fighting at all it will be on_the side of the Entente..' For some time past her relations with Austria have been far from cordial, and it is now stated that the tension between the two countries has beoome acute. The interests of Italy and Austria conflict very sharply in the Balkans and in the Adriatic, and the Italians have no desire to see any further extension of Austrian influence in that quarter. It is significant that the French Minister for War (M. Deloasse) and Count Witte, representing' Russia, have been on a visit to Italy, and that tEe Italian Premier is going to London to confer with Sir Edward Grey. In a guarded statement M. Delcasse hints that circumstances may arise which would make it advantageous for Italy to depart, from her present neutral attitude. M. Delcasse also mentions that the map of Europe will be entirely rearranged after the war, and that Britain, France, and Russia would have no objection to the realisation of Italy's aspirations. It is doubtful whether Italy can afford to' continue her present policy of nonintervention, for she can hardly expect to be invited to assist in making the new map unless-she is prepared to take part in tho fighting upon the result of which the nature of tho rearrangement, of territory will de t pond. It is stated that public opinion in Italy is likely to compel the Government to join in the conflict against Austria and Germany. . If Italy intends to act, the decisive move is not likely to be long delayed.

anxiety, aifti\ another breakdown must be regarded as a very serious matter. No doubt the strain of the present war is proving too much for him. He has been a remarkable man in many respects, and his lifq has been one long series of tragic happenings. He will'go down in history as the monarch who started what may prove to be the greatest war the world has ever known. . Ho has endeavoured to justify his action in attacking Scrvia in high-sounding sentences, but the impossible terms insisted upon in Austria's ultimatum showed that he had deliberately made up his mind to force Europe into war. He knew that Germany was behind him—probably he acted on an understanding with the Kaiser— and he also Knew that Russia was bound to come to the help of Se'rvia. Both he and the Kaiser were alsowell aware that Franco was sure to help Russia, and that Britain would probably be compelled to enter the' great fray. Tho Emperor Francis Joseph may not live to see the consequences of his action in provoking this tremendous struggle. It is difficult to estimate what the effect of his death would be at the present time. His personal influence has been the'strongest bond that holds together the conflicting racial elements of which Austria-Hungary is composed. His subjects include Germans, Magyars, Czechs," Poles, Ruthenians, Servians, Oroatians, Italians, and Rumanians. It is doubtful whether anyone but Francis Joseph could save the Dual Monarchy from disintegration, and his death at the present juncture might change- the whole aspect of the war so far as Austria-Hungary's influence on it is concerned. Germany, instead of having an ally, might find herself standing practically alone owing to internal dissension throughout the greater part of the AustroHungarian Empire.