PROGRESS OP THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2306, 13 November 1914, Page 4

PROGRESS OP THE WAR

A broad survey of the position in Europe to-day leads to tne opinion that the German commanders are once more making a terrifio onslaught on the Allies in the West, and in order to carry this out have again weakened their forces in the Eastern theatre of war. It is merely a reversion to the early plan ot campaign, the great bulk of the Kaiser's forces being utilised in Belgium and France in a fierce assault on the Allies' lines while a comparatively small force is left on the other frontier to hold the Russians in check. This is rendered possible by tho fact that the Russian advance is now delayed by the necessity of reducing the strongly fortified towns of Przemysl and Cracow before pressing forward in force, as well as by the slowness of the Russian advance elsewhere on account of the difficulties of transport in the country over which operations are now being conducted. « « # e Apparently the Germans have again made some progress at one point in Belgium, having recapturled Dixmudo. The fighting here has [ been most violent, and ground has been lost and regained many times by both eides. The prolonged strain which the Allied forces have been subjected to may have enabled the fresh German troops to gain a little ground; but the official messages do not treat the matter ,at all seriously. It serves to emphasise, however, the necessity for the recruiting campaign that' is being so strenuously prosecuted in England just now. The etrain on the troops in the fighting line is so great and so continuous that the men must be given relief as often as possible, and r to enable this to bo done in face o$ the superior numbers of the enemy there must be strong reserves available. Generally epeakmg, there is little change in the situation, but this must not be taken to indicate any slackening in the attacks by , the German forces. On the contrary, for the moment they appear to be more violent than ever. » « • # Yet despite the summoning of reinforcements and the increased violence of tho attacks, the Germane are rushing on their preparations for defensive operations at points considerably to tne rear of their present lines. Wβ have been told about the elaborate entrenchments and fortifications near Liego and Namur; also of the preparations at Zeebrugge and Antwerp; and now feverish anxiety is being displayed with the fortifying of Brussels and its surroundings, It may be that these are only tho precautions of a cautious arid far-seeing commander, but on tho face of things they convey the impression that tWGermans regard retreat in the near future as a very real probability. The situation is a puzzling one; and the solution probably will be found in the fall of Przemysl and Cracow and the Russian advance which may be expected to follow thereafter. Tho Kaiser will then require to give more attention to the Eastern theatre of

war, and' may have to divert moro of his troops to that quarter. Indeed a late message just to hand indicates that the Russians have made quite surprising progress, and that the position of the Austrian forces in Galicia is already critical. * '# # * The fact that tho £500,000,000 war credit voted by the British Parliament in Auguet last is almost spent gives some idea of the costliness of modern warfare. Of all tho nations takinp part in the struggle_ Britain is in far the strongest position from '.he financial point of view, and if the last few hundred millions are going to win the war, Britain's long purse will certainly be one of the deciding factors. British credit s'ancls lar higher than the credit of her enemies. This is proved by some striking facts published in _ the Economist. The notes of the Reictsbank were being negotiated recently in Berlin at a 35 per cent, discount, whereas in New York the British ten shilling and pound notes were quoted slightly above par, while German paper money was_ rated by American financiers at a discount of 16 per cent., and Austrian at a discount of 25 per cent. Such facts as these show that the commercial world has no doubt about the marked superiority of British credit, and this superiority will probably increase, rather than diminish, as tho war goes on. # # ' ,

A EEVOLOTiONARY outbreak by the unemployed in Germany is predicted in a cablegram which we publish to-day.'. In the absence of the data on which this prediction is based, it is not very useful to speculate as to the likelihood of its fulfilment. It is quite certain ; however, that Germany's industrial population must be suffering very acutely, and tho strain may reach the breaking poino at any time. Miirmurings of discontent have from time to time reached the outside world, and these may be expected to become more loud and bitter as the true facts regarding tho war become more fully known among the people. They must know by this time that tb,e overwhelming victories which they were led to expect have not taken place, and they are beginning to realise that, in spite of the enormous sacrifices which the' nation is making, the war may after all end disastrously for Germany. For some time, past the German Press has been preparing tho public mind for the disillusionment which must come sooner or later, and when the eyes of the people are opened to tho actual state of affairs the revolutionary section of the population may cause serious trouble. The suppression of the Vorwaerts, the leading Socialist paper, on account of its views regarding the war is an indication that a good deal of disaffection exists,- and this is sure to become more pronounced as the dis-

tress and unemployment caused by the dislocation of the- industrial life of the country increase It is very probable that the Kaiser and his Government will, sooner or later, have to fight against enemies within their gates as well as the foes without. # # # , # The announcement by the Chancellor o£ the Exchequer (ifit Lloyd George) that another call is to bo made upon the Overseas Dominions for troops will cause no surprise in New Zealand. The people of this Dominion understood at the outset that on. , first Expeditionary Force would need to be supplemented by fresh troops to fill any wastage which might occur. She Govern-

ment has established a training camp _at Trentham, where men can bo drilled and trained as required, It has already been,made quite clear that we will maintain a constant supply of men sufficient to keep our forces at tho front up to their full strength, and if anything further is required of us we will do it. New Zealand declared at the commencement of the war that it was determined to see the crisis through, and that it was willing to place all its resources at the disposal of the Empire, even to its last man and its last shilling. If 20,000 men are asked for, they will be forthcoming, and still more if, as we all hope will not be the case, it become necessary. The two million trained men mentioned by Mr. Lloyd George as likely to be a "big element in tho final settlement" is a, great army, but it is not too great a demand to mako_ upon the British Empire considering the enormous interests it has at stake.

The Turk makes a good soldier. Ho has plenty of courage and endurance, and ho has distinguished himself on many a battlefield. During re'eont years, however, the Turkish Army has been neglected by the Government owing to lack of money and, general maladministration. Tho disasters of the recent Balkan war were largely due to this neglect, and messages from Rome now_ declare that the Turkish Armjr is in a state of oomplete disorganisation. The men are said to be badly equipped, and it is asserted that the military stores contain only eight days' supply. Turkey has not yet rocovered from fcno staggering blow she received from the Balkan Allies, and although there has been a good deal of talk about reorganising the army, tho financial resources at the disposal of the Government have not been sufficient to_ enable this to be done. . Internal discord has also been life, and the rival parties have been fighting so hard_ for the control of tbo administration that they have had little time to devote to the work of improving tho army. Something has no doubt been done by German officers and German money, but an army cannot be made ready for war in a day. Turkey has been forced icto the conflict against her better judgment. With an empty Treasury and a disorganised army, she cannot hope to wage a successful war against Britain and Russia, ■ * *• * #

The report that a conspiracy has been . discovered in Constantinople against the Young Turks and Germans will not cause any surprise. The country has been plunged into war against the wishes of a veVy laree section of the people, and ,- n spite of the fact that some of the most experienced politicians did their utmost to maintain an attitude of neutrality. When war was decided upon, several Ministers resigned. They were no doubt well aware of the'nation's unreadiness, besides being convinced that the policy of. adventure adopted by the pro-German Party was boundto result in disaster. In such circumstances it is natural that disaffection should make its appearance among the people, and the shooting of the ringleaaers is not likely to •tor/i<-ve the trouble. It is by no means a popular war. The fact that the mob nas attacked German nonccriimissioned officers shows that the mnsi of the population are not at all grateful to the Kaiser for his friendship and patronage. A nation divided against itself is heavily handicapped in a struggle with powerful foes. It is quite possible that the Russians may be at the gates of Con-

stantinople at no very distant date.' Tho Tsar is already making preparations for an attack on the Turkish .capital, and Britain is not likely to stand in the- way on thia occasion. ..* * * » The • intimation that Holland has entered into an . arrangement whereby the Dutch Government" secures a practical monopoly of tho importation of foodstuffs, flour, and cattle from the United States into Holland has an important bearing upon' the war from tho ■ economic point of view. Foodstuffs are conditional contraband, and tho British Government lias taken precautions for' preventing them finding their way into Germany through Holland.. Some time ago a statement was made, based apparently on assertions from Germany, that no grain was being allowed to enter Holland except for tho Dutch Government, which was 1 required to make itself responsible that tho grain should reach neutrals only. Shortly after the commencement of the war tho British Government issued a proclamation declaring that absolute and conditional contraband are to be treated alike as regards hostile destination. In neither case is the neutral destination of the carrying ship to be conclusive of tho ultimate innocent uso of the cargo. Goal and foodstuffs will, if destined for ultimate conveyance to German authorities', be liable to British capture in neutral vessels, even if bound to a neutral port. The- rigorous enforcement of these regulations is, of course, a difficult matter, and is liable to lead to complications and friction with neutral Powers in regard to tho destination of private cargoes. The possibilities of trouble should bo greatly reduced by tho action of the Dutch Government in putting a stop_ to all private shipments from America and making the importation of foodstuffs a State monopoly. . The Dutch authorities will now have to accept the responsibility of seeing that these imports do not reach a hostile destination.