PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2325, 5 December 1914, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Have the Germane abandoned the intention of forcing their way to the sea? There are some indications that their efforts to , break through the British lines in Flanders are weakening, but an eye-witness of the recent operations in that quarter holds that there, is no Sufficient reason for believing that they have finally decided that the task is impossible. The Kaiser has set his heart on the Capture of Calais, the possession of which he no doubt considers necessary for the organisation of comoined naval and military attacks against Britain. The lives of an enormous number of German soldiers havo been sacrificed in the attempt to get as 'far as the Straits of Dover, but their repealed onslaughts have all been hurled' back by Sir John .French and his men. Though the Germans seem to be making preparations in .view_ of the possibility of a retreat becoming necessary,' they have renewed the attack in the Ypres district. One report states that the Crown Prince is. to make another attempt to force the Yser line, and if i this effort fails the German Army will then go into winter quarters. The British position ia very istrongly held, and the contemplated attempt to break through is sure to meet with the most determined resistance. It has been stated that German military critics regard the fighting between Lille and Dunkirk as of life and death importance, and that the whole position of the invaders depends upon the result. This probably accounts for the Kaiser's order that Calais must bo taken at all costs. It is not a matter of life and death to the Allies, but it is undoubtedly' of first-rate importance from their point of view. The recent report by Sir John French lays great stress on the necessity of successfully resisting the German advance. towards Calais. 'It would be most undesirable to have our enemies so near to the British coaat. . * * • • Later messages show that fierce fighting is proceeding in the Ypres district, the enemy's attacks being repulsed. A determined attempt was made to cross the'Yser, but it met with resolute resistance; and had to bo abandoned. The Germans are also showing renewed activity on the Aisne. _ An. attack on the railway in the vicinity-of Soissons has'been re-' pulsed by British machine-guns and French bayonets. • * • B The Russian movements in Poland are said to be maturing towards a final victory. Their plan to envelop the left flank*of the Germans in the vicinity of Plock is reported to be progressing favourably. The Kaiser's troops are evidently in an extremely dangerous position, but reinforcements aie being sent and they are fighting with great stubbornness. Their losses have been enormous. In a fierce engagement which took place to the south-west of Lodz whole regiments are reported to have fallen before the_ onrush of the Siberians. The Russians are still advancing in Galicia, and have captured Bartfield, an important position on the Hungarian side of the Carpathians. The beleaguered city, of Przemysl is in a desperate state. Famine and disease are doing their deadly work, plunder is rife, and the authorities have lost control' of the_ situation. ..These facts are disclosed in a communication received in Rome from the Archbishop of Przemysl. In such circumstances it is impossible for the city to hold out much longer. * • * * Ii seems that all hope has not yet been abandoned at Berlin of enticing Italy to come to the assistance of Germany and ' Austria. A message from Rome states that the acquisition of Tunis is now being held out as a tempting bait. "Step in and tako Tunis now that the chance offers." This suggestion, put forward by a leading Gorman newspaper, is believed in Rome to have been inspired by the German Foreign Office, but the Italian Press does not think that Italy is at all inclined to accept tho invitation. If she decides to abandon her neutrality _ she will almost certainly throw in her lot with the Entente. She has no love for Austria. The interests of the two countries' in the Balkans aro irreconcilable, and the harsh treatment of the Italian section of the population of Austria-Hungary is keenly resented in Italy. Cries of "Down with Austria" havo recently been heard in the streets of Italian cities, and tho Rome correspondent of.a London newspaper tells us that for the first .ttooa the who aro usu-

[ ally the opposite pole to tho Socialists, have joined with some of the latter, with tho Republicans, and with the Radicals in demanding that the Government should, at a suitable moment, abandon neutrality for active co-operation with Great Britain and Franco against Austria-Hun-gry, * * » a The correspondent referred to goes on to show that Italy has no cause to bo grateful to Austria-Hungary. He recalls the facts' that the Dual Monarchy prevented tho Italian bombardment of Proveza and San Giovanni di Medua in October, 1912, thereby prolonging the Libyan War; that' Austria issued the Homenlohe decrees against tho Italians of Trieste in 1913; that Hungary maltreated the Italians at Fiume while, the Italian Foreign Minister was visiting his Austrian colleague at Abbazia. Nor can Italians forget or forgive the threats of General Konkad von Hoetzendorf, the tactless christening of the new Austro-Hungarian battleship Novara —one of the bitterest names in Italian history—the refusal of an Italian University at Trieste, the gerrymandering of the Dalmatian constituencies in such a manner as to exclude the Italian minority from every one of the 13 Dalmatian seats in the Austrian Parliament, arid the intrigues of Austrian agents against Italy at Durazzo. It is felt that, if Italy does not take~this occasion to freo her kinsmen in Austria, it will never recur. Cavotje would not have hesitated; but then a Oavoub comes only once in a century in any country, not always so often.

The speech made by the . Prime Minister (Signoe Salandea) at the opening of the Italian Parliament contains some significant statements and.indicates plainly that the country is face to face with an extremely critical situation. Signoe Salandba's declaration that. "neutrality cannot be the exclusive aim of Italian policy was greeted with an outburst cf indescribable enthusiasm," which shows that there is a widespread feeling thai; the time for definite action is drawing near. That the Govern-ment-fully realises that the country may be 'compelled to bake sides in the great struggle is indicated by irl P " m © Minister's remark that _ tne (government's supreme concern is the complete preparation of the W/nd navy." Signo'r Salandka lets fall the.ominous hint that it will be to Italy's interest to have a hand m the rearrangement of the map after the war is over. He says that the political configuration is perhaps about to be transformed, and Italy must maintain her vital inter-' ests and- just aspirations."- .'■ *# » * . The significance of these words is increased when they are placed alongside certain statements made in September by Me. Winston Chueohhill in an interview with a. representative of the Giomale d'ltalia. After remarking that the war would probably rearrange the map ! of, Europe according to national principles Mil Chuechili, went on to say that the day would come when the true natural frontiers of Italy would be restored in their integrity, and until then there would be no true peace and well-being. "Let us proceed," he went on to say, "to a just and natural definition of the boundaries of Europe." Commentj"? °P **" s statement the Giomale a Italia states that it lays the foundation of a further development of the understanding between the Mediterranean Powers, aa'd hints that Italy is among'the nations which would gain most advantage from the fall of the Hapsburg Empire, which would mark the triumph of the principle of nationality. Signor Salandea's speech leaves the impression that Italy is waiting for a favourable moment to declare herself. She is getting her army and navy in a state of readiness, and placing herself in a position to take such action as will give her the right to demand that her interests will receive favourable consideration when the time comes for re-making the map.; ■''■■■ An eye-witneesof the recent British operations in Flanders speaks in terms of the highest praise of the resource', initiative, and endurance of our troops. It is always pleasing to read such testimonies to the splendid behaviour of our soldiers at the front .as that given by this eye-witness (which • appears in ' our cable columns this morning) though scores of similar tributes have been ■published since the commencement of the- war. The pluck, the unquenchable good humour, and the cheerful manner in which our men have borne the hardships of the campaign have been referred tp over and over again, but th 3 story never grows stale with repetition. They have done magnificently. The message also f.tates that final success depends upon ihe manner in which the belligerents prepare and utilise their raw material of manhood to replace the regular armies when the latter havo done their work. Similar views have been expressed by Loed Kitohenee, who considers that Britain's ability to place a constant supply of fresh troops in the- field will be felt more and more acutely by our enemies as the. war proceeds. If it is to be a war of exhaustion the chances are enormously in favour of.Britain. Without under-' rating the resources of Germany, everything goes to show that she is bound to be exhausted before the British Empire's fighting capacity is used up. * • « # According to the interview—real or imaginary—bstween the German Oeown Peince and an American newspaper man, a summary of which appeared in yesterday's issue, tho Peince is reported to have laughed heartily at the story that the Kaiser was nearly captured by the Russians in the vicinity of Warsaw. "I must tell father that;'he will enjoy it," said the Peince. It is certainly rather improbable that the Kaiser has ever been in serious danger of falling into the hands or his enemies. It is quite possible, howover, that he may have that experience later on. But if he over is captured it will not be for want of taking care of himself. It is not his custom to expose himself to any unnecessary risks. Most elaborate measures have been taken to protect him. -When he paid a visit to the Eastern front some weeks ago, it was stated that the grounds of tho Olub where he and his suite stayed were enclosed with high barbed-wire fencing and roofed with wire-nct-ting. It looked like an enormous cage for fancy birds. Outside of the enclosure his Uhlans and aeroplane squadron were quartered.

* « # * A native of Luxemburg has given a graphic description oi bow the Kaiser was guarded during his stay at the capital of the Grand Duchy. He stopped at the German Legation. All the surrounding greets,

were barricaded 200 yards away.'Oα the roof of the Imperial quarters a mitrailleuse had been planted- and on the frowning eminences of the old fort Olizy was a howitzer and a gigantic searchlight. The Kaiser's retinue comprised no fewer than' 350 officers. The Okown Prince is doubtless well aware that the great War Lord knows how to keep at a. safe distance from the enemy, and that everything that the wit of man; can conceive is being done to protect! him from all manner of danger. That is probably why the Princb ; laughed heartily when he heard the! story about his father's narrow cape near Warsaw. ■