PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2315, 24 November 1914, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

An official report from Russia informs us to-day that the great battle in South-West Poland in which the Germans wore badly beaten was decisive. This means that the German attempt to take the offensivo in Poland and so check the Russian advance in the North and 1 South has been thwarted. With such large forces engaged and over such a vast extent of country, it is difficult to say exactly what the effect of any given battle may be. It is gratifying, however, to learn that the position of the Russians continues satisfactory and that the prospects are good. No one can hope for any rapid in this quarter, and indeed there is little sign of any marked movement in any of the theatres of war. This was only to bo expected. Apart from tho tremendous strain under which the Armies' have been carrying on operations the coming of winter must greatly hamper and restrict the movement of troops. Tho news from all quarters however, is quite satisfactory from tho Allies' point of view.

* * * * A late message gives particulars of desperate exploits by British troops' in Belgium in which the Germans suffered heavy losses. There' are thrilling stories of , splendid deeds. It is worthy of note that there is further cvidenc© of discontent amongst the Bavarians in tho Kaiser's army,' also that the plan of campaign against the Russians is being interfered with by the state of panic into which the German residents of East Prussia, have been thrown by the Russian advance. This is significant, not so much because of tho alleged interference with Germans plans, as on account of the confirmation it affords of Russian successes. T.h<j peasants would not bo fleeing as stated unless the Russians bad made a , marked advance. # * # »' Admiral Sin John Jellicoe's report to the authorities on the work of tho officers and men of tho Navy serving under him is a. reminder to the Empire of tho ceaseless watch which the British Fleet is keeping, day and night, in the North Sea and English Channel. Our men have, not yet had an opportunity of getting to grips with tho main fleet of the enemy, but in every encounter that has taken place they . have shown that tho fighting spirit 'of tho Navy is as vigorous as ever it was. * » * # The military correspondent of the London Times reminds us that.succcss in war "is not measured by tho number of battles fought or of losses incurred, but by results'. In proof of the "almost complete success of our watoh at sea" he points to tho fact that under this naval shield groat armies aro being raised and trained in England, and expeditions proceed whither they will with no one to hinder them. The British Navy has also been a shield to tho Empire's commeroe, and has swept the enemy's merchantmen from the seas. Tho above-mentioned expert declares that "The trifling successes which Germany has won by commerce raiding at sea are much less than wo expected and wero prepared to incur." This assertion is fully borne out by a comparison with the nation's maritime losses during the Napoleonic wars. Between the years 1803 and 1814 Britain lost over 5000 merchant vessels by capture, the greatest 'loss in ono year occurring in 1810, -five years after the Battle of Trafalgar! The mischief done by tho Emden was most annoying,, but sho has now paid tho penalty—thankß to the Australian cruiser Sydney—and there are good reasons for believing that the other German cruisers still roaming tho oceans will be as effectually dealt with before many days go by. * * d * A British naval officer expresses astonishment at the way in which Germans get information regarding the movemonts of our Fleet. In this department of warfare they certainly appear to be more proficient than wo are, and the measure of success achieved by their submarines has been largely due to the efficiency of their spy system. For years the enemy's secret agents have been directing special attention to our Navy. In referring to this matter recently, Mr. Ohurohill remarked that "every dirty little German lieutenant ooming on leave to England thought he would curry favour with his superiors by writing home details of what he could find out." The German naval authorities no doubt in this way acquired a good deal of knowledge which is now proving very useful, but the information they are obtaining about tho doings of the British Fleet is duo to espionage of a much more elaborate and systematic character, and is probably the result of arrangements mado long before, the war broke out. A year ago most of us paid little attention to the rumours about foreign spies, and we wero not prepared for the revelations of the far-reaching ramifications of tho German secret service which have been made since the commencement of the present struggle. » *' # »

It was recently stated that the success of the British Fleet in preventing copper supplies from reaching Germany was causing much anxiety to the Kaiser and his ad-' visers, as this metal is required for the manufacture of ammunition. A cablegram published yesterday morning announced that two Norwegian steamers, carrying 4000 tons of copper ore stowed underneath the gene-' ral cargo, had been brought to Glasgow by British warships. The steamers were voyaging from the United States to Sweden, but it is the ultimate destination that makes goods contraband or not. Some time ago the British Foreign Office sent to the American Government a list of conditional contraband of war, in which copper was included. The Washington -authorities endeavoured, in the interests of the great coppei; companies, to get an alteration in the ruling. A message from Washington which recently appeared in a London paper stated that tho United States Government wished to avoid anything in the nature of an embarrassment to Britain, but tho copper industry was of such imports ancc to America, and the prcssuro of Utah and Montana upon the Government for an adjustment was so great, that arf cquablo settlement was deemed necessary. * * * * A great war must, of course, interfere largely with the trade of neutrals as well as belligerents, and there is no doubt that the American coppcr industry is suffering severely at tho present moment. Britain is anxious to avoid friction with neutral nations, but she must take every lcitimatc precaution in order to prevent contraband goods from reaching her enemies. In answer to representations from Washington j&q fwwed that thcro.should be no,

interference with American copper shipped to neutral countries, provided the Governments of those oountrios give assurances that the copper shall do used .for domestic purposes only, and shall not be re-exported. This arrangement is considered satisfactory by Holland, and should be equally satisfactory to other neutral countries from whom the Amerioan Government haa been endeavouring to obtain tho required assurances. » # it * The cablegram of the Russian Minister of the Interior deolaring that Rumania's interests and future depend upon the success of the Entente is another indication that the Balkan nations are finding it more and more difficult to maintain a neutral attitude. The development of events is forcing them to throw in their lot either with the Allies or with Austria and Germany. Rumania has an old grievance against Russia in rogard_ to the annexation of Bessarabia, and this grievance enabled the late Kino Carol to direct the country's foreign policy for a time on lines favourable to the Triplo Alliance. But a great change took place as the result of tho Balkan wars. Russia {jaye strong support to Rumania's claims for consideration, and showed her friendliness in other ways. Austria's influence then began to wane, and was further lessened by the action of the Austrian Government in protesting against the Treaty of which confirmed Rumania's acquisition of territory. In this way Rumania's. national aspirations liave been turned from Bessarabia to Transylvania, a Hungarian province containing about three million Rumanian inhabitants. ' By giving active assistance to the Entente Powers Rumania 'would have a good chance of securing Transylvania, which would be a great step towards the completion of the nation's unity. Influences have, however, been at work on the other side, and the Government has found great difficulty ■in deciding what course to pursue in the present crisis. The Balkan powder magazino may explode at any moment. As' a matter of fact, it has partly exploded already, for Turkey, Servia, and Montenegro arc already in the fray, and Greece is waiting for a favourable opportunity to strike for the Entente. Bulgaria and Rumania are probably cach waiting for the other to disclose its intentions, while Italy is. anxiously looking on and preparing for emergencies.