NOTES ON THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2281, 15 October 1914, Page 4

NOTES ON THE WAR

The situation in North-Eastern France and North-Western Belgium has become decidedly interesting. It would seem, judging by the places mentioned in to-day s messages, that the Belgian forces are now almost, if not quite, in touch with tho Allies in France. The Germaus_ no doubt aro seeking to prevent a junctioning of these forces, and it is quite possible they may succeed, for reasons mentioned later on, but the movement of the fighting seems to point to a big engagement between Ostend and Lille, in which the Bri-tiih-Bclgian force, as well as the British-French force may bo able to participate. The news from France is most encouraging. Tho ,German Right has been gradually pressed back at several -points in a northeasterly direction, and would seem to bo very much scattered. All _ its attempts to break tho Allies' line, and by so doing relieve the pressure" which has already compelled it to withdraw at one or two points across tho French border into Belgium, | have been frustrated, and the forward movement of the 'Allies_ still goes on. As was generally anticipated, it.seems probable that the. Bri-tish-Belgian force wiH retire from Ostend before the weight of . the numbers opposed to them. Already the Belgian Government has removed to Havre, and this may foreshadow the retirement of the fighting men as stated. In that event the Germans would be in possession of _ practically the whole of the coast line of Belgium, and the transport of further British reinforcements to Belgium would not be possible except through French ports. This, ever, would bo of- no real importance at the present stage of affairs. Indeed, British military ' experts from tho outset of the war condemned the idea of scattering the British expeditionary forces at 1 different points. Oh sentimental grounds it might appear to be tho proper thing to send a section of the troops- to Antwerp or elsewhere in Belgium to strengthen tho.Belgian forces; but from the military .standpoint the troops can;be used to most advantage where the main issue is being decided. So it was urged that the British forces should be concentrated at the main battlefront in France. That will fight the battles of Belgium to more advantage there than would be_ possible if associated with the Belgian forces, which are now engaged in.; 'what are really minor encounters in Belgium.

The statement tlkt a substantial part of the body of Naval Reserve men and Marines that was sent to assist in the defence of Antwerp has now been withdrawn, and- has returned to England,'may be taken as a plain, indication that no serious defence of -Ostend is contemplated. It is possible that it may indicate even more than this—namely, that the position and strength of the German forces around Ostend is such that it has become necessary for the British-Belgian'troops not only to retire from Ostend, but to retire by-way of the sea. If, :is; some of the messages seem to suggest, tho Germans are in strength between Ypres and Dunkirk, as v.-d Pas between Jfpres and Ghent, then the Belgians might find it impossible to escape from the ring that has k-en drawn 'round them, except by way of the sea. Here again Britain's control of the sea may prove a factor in frustrating German efforts. The embarking of a large body of troops under such circumstances as here suggested would necessarily be a difficult and dangerous undertaking, and would probably call foi heroic self-sacrifice on the part of the covering force that would be necessary to enable the embarkation to take place. But with the assistance of the British Fleet; it might be accomplished,, if the occasion should demand it. Wo know so little, however, of the actual strength of the Belgian forces at tho present stage of the war that the situation is too uncertain to write of with any confidence. Tho Bolgians outwitted the' Germans in the retirement from Antwerp—thoy may do tho same in retiring from Ostend,' whether by land or by sea. A late message states that King Albert is still with his troops, which, if correct, may be taken to mean that the position at Ostend is not so bad as the removal 6f the Government and the flight of the inhabitants would at first sight suggest.

From Russia the news to-day is not so good. It is not so much from what is stated as from' what may be > inferred. The attempt of the Rnssians to take the strongly fortified town of Przemysl, in Galicja, which has been proceeding for somo time 1 , has, not proved an easy matter. Some success was metwith, but now we arc told that the Russians have desisted in their effort in order to engage an Austro-Gcrman army which is marching to the relief of Przemysl. In the meantime the operations elsewhere are proceeding satisfactorily. The Russian cavalry has crossed the passes of the Carpathians into the plains of Hungary, and will carry consternation to the hoart of the Empire. Public ■ feoling in Italy will no doubt be deeply stirred by (.lie treatment of people of Italian descent by the Austrjans in the .prqv--1 inces bordering on the AustroItalian frontier, and the reported | naval activity- of Turkey may also have'an effect on Italian publio opinion favourable to the Entente.

The situation that' has developed in the Union of South Africa as the result of the traitorous behaviour of Got,onei. Maiht? is not without it? serious aspect. It has been known for some time past that a section of Boor irrcconcilablcs have lent an ear to the emissaries of Germany, anil that the idea of throwing off association with Britain had been discussed was strongly suspected; New Zcalanders in South Africa, writing to friends hfiVC. have mentioned their suspicions freely enough, and supported them wiiih facts. But the irrcconcilablcs arc only a very small proportion of the population, and t)io traitorous designs of Colonel Makitz and his associates will have

little effect on the attitude of the Union as a whole. Instead of' doing Germany any service, it is more likely to stimulate enthusiasm and assist Geneiial Botha in his plans against German West Africa, Moreover, it will weld more closely than anything has yet done the British and Boer population, who are loyal to the Empire, under which they enjoy the fullest liberties of self-gov-ernment.

The possibility of Italy throwing in her lot with the Allies appears to be causing a good deal of anxiety to the Austrian Government. The sympathies of the Italian provinces of Austria would naturally _ bo with Italy, and in view of this fact the Governor of Trieste is making preparations for the seizure of a thousand prominent citizens, who would be held as hostages as soon as war began. About three-fourths of the population of Trieste and adjoining territory are Italians, about 18 per cent, being Slavs, and 6 per cent. Germans. Trieste first camo under the protection of Austria in 1382, and this overlordship was gradually changed into actual possession. This position has been maintained down to the present time, with,the exception of a break during the Napoleonic period; but the district has never lost its Italian character, and its loyalty to Austria may not he able to stand the test of & war with Italy. This feeling of uncertainty regarding the Italian provinces is not the only racial trouble that tho Austrian Government has to face. The Slav population cannot be relied upon, and in a tirne of danger like the present the' lack of a united national sentiment is a very serious handicap to Austria-Hun-gary. A nation divided againßt itself can hardly be expected to wage a 'successful war against external foes. The Slav and Italian portions of Austria may be induced by threats or promises to refrain from assisting the enemy, but any resistance they may show to an invasion by 'their own kith and kin is sure to.be halfhearted and lukewarm.. The Austrian Government is now finding it necessary to treat a considerable section of its own people as hostile. This is an extremely embarrassing situation for Austria.