PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2307, 14 November 1914, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The position in France and Belgium appears to have undergone very little, change according to latest information. The capture of Dixmudo by the Germans docs not seem to have caused any important alteration in the general situation, for we are told that the Allies > only retired a few yards and that they are still in possession of tho line of the Yser. There have been violent encounters and alternate . advances and retreats. Further fighting has taken place on. the Aisne between Reims and Laon, where the British have made some progress. * * a * In tho Eastern theatre of war the Russian armies are still pressing forward, The Austrians seem to be in a very dangerous position, and it is stated that they will soon be compelled either to face a decisive battle or, surrender; There are signs of serious friction between the Germans aiid Austrians, the latter resenting the manner in which 1 they are being sacrificed to save the Kaiser's troops. In East Prussia, tho Tsar's forces are fighting their way forward, and have beaten the enemy at Soldau, Goldap, and Mlava. The Russians in this quarter are getting into tho Masurian lake district. This is very difficult and swampy country, protected by a network of blockhouses. They may meet with serious resistance here, but with the approach of winter progress will become more easy as the lakes and.swamps are frozen over. ■ A battle has also been fought at Seiradz, on the borders of Germany and Russian Poland, and it is reported that the Russians captured a German general and his staff. Everything goes to show that the Russian pressure is steadily increasing in.severity on the Germans, while the retreating Austrian Army seems to be on the brink of disaster. * * * * There is very little reliable information regarding the Turkish campaign. Reports of Turkish victories are being manufactured in Constantinople in order to put* the nation'in good heart and to deceive the out? side world. But the world is not quite so gullible as the Turks and Germans seem to think, and an at-' tempt to repeat from Constantinople the tactics by which America and other neutral countries were flooded by false information of German victories at the commencement of the war is not likely to meet with much success. The Press Bureau states that the reports emanating from Constantinople of Russian reverses and the invasion of Egypt are entirely untrue. A revolt is said to have broken out among tho Turkish troops at Adrianoplc. Whether this news _is reliablo or not, it is quite certain that great discontent exists in the Turkish Army, which is badly equipped and irregularly paid. Serious trouble is reported from Albania, where pillage and anarchy are rife. | Italy has been watching the progress of events in this region with special interest, and she may bo compelled to take action for the maintenance of her power and prestige in the Balkans, , .* * * * The attack upon the gunboat Niger by a submarine in the Downs shows that the enemy's under-water craft tiro becoming tnoito and tnon active angl dugs* fffaa auhwipp is .

tainly playing a more important part in the war than was generally expected at the commencement of hostilities. Referring to the sinking of tho three Oressys towards tho end of September, tho Time's said that the disaster proved the deadliness of the submarino under extremely favourable conditions, but it did not" prove that tho menace could not be overcome. "At tho same time wc must expeefc that as tho months pass, and the German submarine crews grow more expert and more daring, the menace will increase rather than diminish." Recent English papers show that the public are inclined to think that more effective measures should be taken to counteract this form of attack, and they feel that it is not sufficient to be told that such disasters must be expccted in a war of this kind. The return of Sir Percy Scott to tho Admiralty may be taken 'as an indication that more special _ attention is to be given to the various phases of submarine warfare. * * » * Commenting on tho submarine peril in connection with the loss of the Oressy, Aboukir, and Hogue, Mr. Robert Blatchford states that a British submarine officer told him a few years ago that ship for ship tho submarine could beat the Dreadnought, and that "three good submarines could hold the Straits of Dover against a fleet." It is quite clear, says Mr. Blatchford, that submarines can make long journeys, can penetrate the rivers or reach the fleets of an enemy, and can do tremendous damage. He suggests that Emden and the approaches to Wilhelmshaven should- be mined and every means at our command should be used to , attack the enemy. A naval expert_ tells us that the submarine is neither invincible nor invulnerable, nor has it maintained its reputation for invisibility. He goes on to say that it has never been altogether believed that gun fire from the ship attacked is the best or most effective answer to the submarine. He does not, however, tell us what the most effective answer is. ' The submarine is at present more dangerous to our Navy than to the German Fleet, because our ships have to keep the sea, but the Times seems to have reason on its when it states that Great Britain, as the guardian of tho chief outlets from the narrow seas, should gain the ultimate advantage from its use. s,* * * * The decision of the Admiralty that the captain of the Emden.should be accordedall the honours of war, and bo permitted to retain his sword, will meet with general approval in British communities. Though the Emden has done much damage to British shipping,. she has always "played the game" fairly. She has acted strictly in accordance wit'ff the laws; of war, and though .we are pleased to know that, thanks to the fighting power of the/Sydney, her raiding days are over, we can also appreciate the fact that her captain is to receive the courtesy due to a gallant and honourable foe. We have become so accustomed to exhibitions of the most brutal barbarism on the part of German officers that the observance of the methods of civilised warfare by the Emden's captain seems to require tfbme special recognition.