DRIVING THE GERMANS OUT OF BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2337, 19 December 1914, Page 5

DRIVING THE GERMANS OUT OF BELGIUM

GERMAN NAVAL RAID CONDEMNED BY NEUTRALS , / SINKING OF A GERMAN CRUISER . TRAINING SHIP MINED TURKEY'S CABINET IN • GERMAN POWER J To-day it is reported, not officially, tut with ,an appearance of ! probability, that instead of waiting for the spring, the ' Allies will forthwith initiate a vigorous offensive on the Western front with the object of clearing the Germans out of Belgium. Tho change of plan is. dictated in part, no doubt, by the desirability of relieving the pressure upon the Russians in the Western theatre, where the Germans are still fighting far in advance of their own frontier. The enterprise is made possible, however, by the rapidity with which tho effective strength of the Allied Armies has been built up. This is largely due to the accession of the Territorial regiments of Lord Kitchener's new . Army, who have, already proved their quality on tlie field of battle. • Meantime the Allies have made important headway in Belgium, North France, and at other points on 1 the Western line. Emphasis is laid upon the immensely destructive effect of the naval bombardment of the German positions at Westende on the coast of Flanders. Full details of the German naval raid upon the East Coast of England confirm tho opinion that it was. devoid of military significance. The shelling of undefended towns by the German warships has been scathingly condemned in several neu- ■ tral countries. The "Wall Street Journal," of New York, attributes the bombardment to cowardly, murderous malice. During a debate in the Dutch Parliament a member vehemently denounced Germany's violations of international law. In Poland the Russians are pursuing their success in the Mlawa region, on the northern fianlj. In Galicia, Austro-German armies are attempting to outflank the Russians, who are awaiting the attack in a spirit of confidence. The Aus-* ' trians are eagerly pouring columns through one pass in the thians, while the : Russians 'are advaricing upon another further 'east. Prospects are that the Austrians may be taken in the rear or brought to an engagement on the plains, north of tho mountains, which the Russians are in no way anxious to avoid. Austria is reported to have approached Russia with peace proposals, but to have withdrawn on finding the terms proposed too oner ous. In Turkey a new Cabinet has been * appointed, consisting of German officers and their protegees. Marshal von der Goltz is War Minister, and a German Admiral Marine, Minister. Signs of demoralisation, within the Ottoman Empire are • increasing. During a sortie in the Baltic "a German armoured cruiser of 8000 tons was sunk, and only 200 of her crew of over 500 were saved. Turkish suzerainty over, Egypt has been terminated, and the country declared a British Protectorate, under Sir Arthur M'Mahon as High Commissioner.