The Dominion TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1914. TWO MONTHS OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2273, 6 October 1914, Page 4

The Dominion TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1914. TWO MONTHS OF WAR

It is now just, about two months since Britain declared war against Germany, and the conclusion of the second month of the great struggle leaves tho Allies in a satisfactory position. At the close of the first month the outlook was not nearly so bright as. it is at the present, moment. On August 22 Brussels, the capital of Belgium, was occupied by the enemy. A few days afterwards desperate fighting at Mons took place, followed by the advance- of the Germans across the French frontier. It was then reported that the-Germans were preparing for a great : spectacular victory to take place on September 1, the anniversary of the defeat of the French at Sedan in 1870. But Sedan Day was not marked by any special achievement by the Kaiser's'troops, except perhaps in the form of one of the many imaginary victories which were being "made in Germany" about this time. Still the steady falling back ■of the Allies naturally caused some uneasiness, and the War Office thought it necessary to warn people < against being misled by what was going on. It was 'pointed out that what was happening in Franco ought to be .regarded as only one ■ part of a very extensive campaign, and should not be judged as though it was the whole. The .public waa also assured that the plans of the leaders of the Allied armies had not bean, .upset by tho progress of events. Yet the unpleasant fact remained that the Germans continued to advance, though they had to pay a terrible price for every forward movement. On September' 4it was announced, that the seat of .Government was to be removed-from Paris' to Bordeaux, and preparations were made for the siege- of the French capital, which was expected to begin at any time. To the average Britisher it certainly looked as if a very critical moment had arrived, and this feeling was intensified by the stirring .• speeches . which were being made by Mr. Asquitii, Mr. Bonar Law, Lord Rosebery, Sir Edward Grey, and .Lord Kitchener calling for recruits. In spite of assurances that'the military, situation was in accordance with the expectation of '.he British and French Generals, there was certainly :a widespread ■ feeling ._ of uneasiness throughout the Empire at the close of the first month of the war.

Just as the general public began to prepare itself for the news, that the siege of Paris had commenced the situation began to change. The Germans were almost within striking distance, of the city when the announcement was made that the Allies had taken the offensive. .The Battle of the Marne was then' raging. The German line began to fall back, and it has been on the defensive practically ever since. The Battle of the Marne lasted five days, and General Joffre claimed it as "an incontestable victory for the Allies." The Times declared that it was- the greatest battle in history j but it was soon followed by what will probably prove a still greater struggle which commenced along the banks of the Bivers Aisne and Oise, and stretched away south-east to the- Meuse, and which is still proceeding. The loss on both sides must have been very heavy, but the Allies have much more than held their own The Germans arc being pressed backwards, and one of the correspondents at the ; front tells us that "the dih&de has how commenced, , ' This statement may perhaps be promature, but there are many indications to justify the expectation that a great victory for the Allies may be announced at any moment. ' Great things have also happened in the eastern theatre of ''war during the second month of the struggle. The Russians have inflicted several staggering defeats on the Austrians. The casualties of the vanquished have been enormous, and the military power of Austria seems to be broken. The latest news from East Prussia shows that the Russian forces there have repulsed the Germans with heavy loss. No great trial of strength has so far taken place between the British and German Navies. Some of the German cruisers which are roaming the seas have done a good deal of injury to British commerce, and three British cruisers have been sunk in the North Sea by German submarines. But taken as a whole the naval operations have been undoubtedly in favour of the Allies. Britain's supremacy remains unchallenged. Germany's merchantmen have been driven from the seas, and her great ileet is still bottled up. The enemy has lost more warships than we have, and as regards merchant shipping, the Gorman vessels in possession. of the British far outnumber the British ships sunk by the- enemy's cruisers or detained in German ports. The outlook as a whole is unquestionably much more satisfactory to the Allies than to Germany and Austria. In fact, the position of the enemy seems to. be growing more desperate every day. The changed tone of the Berlin newspapers is causing consternation in Germany. The people feel that tho way U'lnung prepared £ov this announcement of disaster.. ■