NOTES ON THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2298, 31 October 1914, Page 13

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 the Allies in France. The Germans no doubt are seeking to prevent a functioning of these forces, and it. is quite possible they may succeed, for reasons mentioned later on, but tho movement of the fighting seems to point to a big engagement between Ostend and Lille, in which the Bri-tifeh-Bclgian force, as well as the British-French force may bo able to participate. The news from Franca is most encouraging. The .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 the Allies' line, and by so doing relieve the pressure' which has already compelled it to withdraw at one or two points across the French border into Belgium, have been frustrated, and the forward movement of the 'Allics_ still goes on. As was generally anticipated, it seems probable that the. Bri-tish-Belgian force will 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 pf practically the whole of the coast lino of Belgium, and the transport of further British reinforcements to Belgium would not be possible except through French ports. This, ever, would be of- no real importance at the present stage of affairs. Indeed, British military ' experts from the outset of the war condemned the idea of scattering the British expeditionary forces at- 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 bo 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 bcppssiblo if associated with the Belgian .forces, which are now engaged in,.' what_ are really minor encounters in Belgium.

The statement that 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 bo 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 01 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, as some of the messages seem to suggest, the Germans are in strength between Yprcs and Dunkirk, as vdPas between Ypres and Ghent, then the Belgians might find it impossible to escape from the ring that lias bwsri 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 enabJe 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 the present stage of the war that the situation is too uncertain to write of with any confidence. The Belgians 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 bo taken to mean that the position at Ostend is not so bad as the removal of 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 in stated as from' what may be inferred. The attempt of the Russians to take the strongly fortified town of Przemysl, in Gaiicja, which has been proceeding for some time 1 , has not proved an easy matter, Some success was met'.with, but now we are told that the Russians have desisted in their effort in order to engage, an Austro-German 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 heart of the Empire. Public feoling in Italy will no doubt be deeply stirred by the treatment of people of Italian descent by the Anstriaus in the .provinces bordering on the AustroItalian frontier, and the reported naval activity, of Turkey may also have 'an effect on Italian public opinion favourable to the Entente.

The situation that' has devoloped in the Union of South Africa as the result of the traitorous behaviour of Colonel Habit? is not without its serious aspect. It has been known for some time past that a section of Boer irrcconcilablcs have lout an ear to the emissaries of Germany, and that the idea of throwing off association with Britain had been discussed was strongly suspected'. New Zealanders in South Africa, writing to friends jicyc, have mentioned their suspicions freely enough, and supported them with facts. But the irrcconcilablcs arc only a very small proportion of the population, and the designs of Colonel Maritz 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 General Botha in his plans against German AVest 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 he causing a good deal of anxiety to the Austrian Government. The sympathies of the Italian provinces of Austria would naturally be 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 tho Napoleonic period j but the district has never lost its Italian character, and its loyalty to Austria may not bo able to stand the test of a 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 time of danger like the present the' lack of a united national sentiment is a very serious handicap to Austria-Hun-gary. A nation divided against 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, lhis is an extremely embarrassing situation for Austria.