PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2328, 9 December 1914, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Nothing of outstanding importance is reported regarding the operations in France and Belgium. Some further fighting has occurred on the Yser, and a desperate at tempt by, the Germans to cross the floods of Ramscajpelle resulted in a weird battle at night, in which rafts and searchlights played. a prominent part. The enemy secured an advantage at first, but the tables were eventually turned,' and a French 75centimetre' gun caused great havoc. The Germans retreated in confusion.' Oostdunkirke, a Belgian town, near Kieuport, has been bombarded by the Germans. The Allies are more than holding their own in other sections of the Western front. ■*'■'.»■' * * The position on the Eastern front is still somewhat obscure. Reports' from Berlin state that the results of the engagements that have been taking ! place ' cannot at present be estimated, but it is claimed that the Russian losses were very heavy. Taking the recent fighting in Poland as* a whole it is practically certain that the Germans nave suffered much more severely than, Russians. An official statement frorn Petrograd makes ridicule of thd' German, reports regarding the capture of Russians. ■■< -: ; ■-;:;■ ■-» * * * .'#'. • The Austrians are now attaoking the Servians with desperate energy, in the hope of finally crushing' them and holding Servia to bargain with for a ! settlement. According to latest news, the Servians are stubbornly resisting the invasion, and there is every sign that a disastrous defeat is in store for the Austrians.

The domineering conduct of the Germans has given rise to feelings of bitterness and resentment in Hungary. The Hungarian Prime Minister (Count,Tisza) is reported to have informed, the, Kaiser that he could not guarantee the loyalty of his country,unless more attention was paid to its interests. It has been Known for some time past that a great deal of dissatisfaction exists in Hungary. The army has been in a state of discontent bordering 6n_ open mutiny. A cablegram which we publish this morning refers to an article in a Hungarian newßpap'er whioh states that "tho Germans have taken over even the constitutional rights of the Monarchy, as if we were without an Emperor and had not raised an army of four millions for the German General Staff to dispose of." The resentment which has been caused by the brutal arrogance of the German generals was recently mentioned by the'correspondent of a London newspaper, who stated that "everywhere are_ heard _ strongly-worded complaints against the Germans having taken command of Hungarian troops, whom they are alleged to be using as the troops of vassal States are often used by an overlord." The feeling is growing that, the Prussians'started the war for their own ends, and the demand is being made that the /Hungarian forces shall no-longer be employed in furthering the overweaning ambitions of Germany, but shall devote themselves to the defence of their own country'. -"Disaffection is said to be particularly strong in the Tyrol, where the Austnans have stripped the villages of all means of livelihood by requisitions that have all the appearance of a punitive measure against the fellow-nationals of the third member of the Triple Alliance, in revenge for her attitude towards the Prussian adventure." It is stated that this outbreak of disaffection has made the Kaiser furious, ■ and- that he told Count Tisza that Hungarian egotism is likely to upset the whole plan of campaign. * . * # * The action of British airmen in passing over Swiss territory on their way to Friedrichshafen, where they ■dropped bombs on tho German Zeppelin sheds, has, raised an interesting point of international law. The Swiss Federal Council holds that international law not recognise any limit to sovereignty over the air; but Sir Edward Grey is not prepared to accept this contention. In expressing regret that the airmen did not observe their instructions. '' he stated that the Government s orders to its airmen must not be interpreted as a recognition of sovereignty over the air. This question has received a good deal 91 attention during recent years. Sir Thomas Barclay, a leading authority on'international-law,-states that it has been suggested that, .following the_ analogy of the sea, no State is entitled to claim sovereignty over a greater height than cannon-range can command, ,and that to assert a claim over the air ad caelum over any country is as exaggerated as the now_ obsolete claims over whole sea's, which were eventually : whittled down to a margin of sea following the trend of the adjacent coast. * . * # * The Institute of International Law at its Ghent meeting in 1906 declared the air free, subjerf only to, such rights as the necessities of self-preservation required. This view seems to follow the analogy of the relation 'of the high sea to territorial waters. It lias, however, been pointed out that there is a difference between the air and the sea in this connection. "An ordinary vessel on the open sea," writes Mr. H. B. Leech, f 'cannot damage persons or property on land; a war vessel cannot do any such damage save of deliberate intention. Further-

more, collision at sea cannot be pro- 1 ductive of any injury to those on: land. But any vessel traversing the supra-territorial air can 1 do: much mischief to those on the earth! beneath; any accident to such ves-j sels may result in serious injury." j Mr. Leech, therefore, contends ihalj'! the analogy between the open seai and the supra-territorial atmosphere I breaks down, and the State is entitled to protection against these'unusual clangers. Professor Sir; Erle Richards is 'of opinion that) the theory of the air being free has: never been accepted as a principle of: international law. He holds that States must be the judges of the'necessary safeguard they impose for-' their protection. The principle of ; State sovereignty over the air is, he contonds, the only basis on which' international law can safely resD. According to Sir Thomas Barclay aviation in wartime i& at presents ' subject only to the general provi-l sions of warfare as laid down by- : the Hague Military Conventions,' 1 and such general principles of international law as States choose to re- / spect. .i* * » « The debate on Siqnor Salandra's declaration regarding the policy;which Italy should pursue in connec-' tion with the present European :• crisis indicates that the Republicans! are in^favour of intervention. In ; an article emphasising the great re- • sponsibility undertaken by Siqnor '■■ Salandra in becoming Minister of ' Foreign Affairs, the Gorriere della\ Sera states: "The Government,' whilst recognising how the war will : enlarge national problems and the means of solving them, must not forget that Italy must not be left out-!-side.tie door the day when Europe' is to bo measured out anew." The Italians are very nervous about what may happen during the war and 1 -, when the time for settlement arrives.- : They ,are wavering between neutral-1 ity and open co-operation with the; Entente. ■ The action' of the Kaiser ! in appointing Prince Buelow as his' Ambassador to Italy at the present! juncture shows that he realises that a critical moment has been -reached. 1 Whatever Italy does is sure to have i •- a great influence on Rumania; The' Bukarest correspondent, of, the Morning Post recently 'said that he could positively assert that should Italy abandon her present attitude and range herself on the side'of the Triple Entente Rumania would at, once make common cause. The. Rumanian army is at present-well'' equipped and disciplined.