PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2338, 21 December 1914, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Great jubilation is reported from Berlin over the naval raid on defenceless coast towns in England and reported successes in France and Poland. It is a bad sign for Germany that her people should lose their heads over so trifling an event from a military point of view as the bombardment of unprotected seaports and unsubstantiated stories of victories which the Amsterdam papers tell us are 'nameless. It is the best evidence possible of the stats of depression in Germany that tho people can be thrown into transports of joy over such insignificant happenings. Practically the whole civilised world, through its Press, has condemned. the raid on the unfortified East Coast towns of England— the feat which has brought such joy to our enemies. But perhaps the most significant feature is the otitspoken condemnation from Rome.

It will be recalled that a few days ago Prince Bulow was sent to Rome to endeavour to influence Italy in favour of Germany. According to a message received this morning his purpose was_ two-fold. In the first place he desired to induce Italy to sido with the Austro-German Alliance, or at least to remain neutral. Failing this lie hoped to persuade Italy to initiate a peace movement. Possibly he hoped the raid on England would impress Italian opinion with the capacity of Germany to punish her foes, but if so he must have -been cruelly disappointed. Italian feeling has been stirred to bitter resentment at tho dastardly murder of civilians—men, women, and children'—without any military object and with no better motive than that prompted by a cowardly spirit of revenge. It is hardly likely that Prince Btjlow will have helped his cause by his bombastic threat that the raid was merely a prelude to further exploits of a similar nature, which would astonish the world. German threats and Germany's brutal attempts at terrorism failed even against gallant little Belgium, but it is plain that Germany has not j'et learned her lesson. It may bo that ere long the world will be astonished, as promised by. Prince 'Bulow, but not quite as Germany expects. A luckyraid under favourable conditions is an unsafe foundation on which to build hopes of further similar exploits. They may bo attempted—, they no doulat will bo attempted— but it is just this sort of thing that the British Navy i 3 waiting for, and hoping for. In the raid last' week tho Germans had the luck to avoid the British ships. They may not be so lucky next time. s a * * There is one disquieting thing about this raid, and that is that it appears to confirm the views previously expressed in Britain, that there is a leakage of information in naval matters which the enemy proMs by, According to our rawmpea flash-light signals from tho

shore are reported to have been seen prior to tne bombardment by the German cruisers. This may or may not prove to be true, but it is a little curious that on two recent occasions hostile ships have put inan appearance off the English coast at a time when none of our ships were within close_ enough call to enable them to get into touch with the enemy. In the present instance some destroyers appear to have exchanged shots, but they could not hope to do anything against battle-cruisers. Another unpleasant feature is the seeming ease with which our mine-fields are avoided. On the face of it this would seem to indicate a knowledge which could only come from spying of a very skilled order, or from information within the Navy. Tho disinclination on tho part of the British authorities to resort to extreme measures to put .down spying and espionage must- be rapidly vanishing under recent experiences. With an enemy bo utterly unscrupulous and ruthless, generosity on the part of Britain is criminal.

The offensive movement by tho Allies in Belgium continues to progress satisfactorily. At latest advices the Allies' advance had passed Middlekerke, which is situated near the sea coast and about midway between Nieuport and Ostend. It is some four, or five miles from Ostend, so it can be safely assumed that our forces are now within striking distance of that one-time favourite watering-place. Further south, at Dixmude and at Ypres, progress is also being madej and then turning oft' to the west into France we find the British troops gaining ground at Armentieres. At La Bassee and in the Bapaume and Peronne districts furtner south, the same good tidings are recorded, and the successes have extended also to the Verdun region, near the frontier of Lorraine. It is a slow business digging the enemy out of his trSnches, and no doubt costly too, but despite counter-attacks and occasional minor reverses the Allies are making distinct progress in both France and Belgium.

The rumour of an intended landing of British troops at Zeebruggc, on the Belgian coast, reads like a very risky and improbable step. The port is some 12 or 15 miles to the north-east of Ostend, landing would be difficult and dangerous even under cover of a strong; fleet of fighting ships; and even if a landing were successfully accomplished it would require a powerful force to maintain possession. There are two things, however, that make the idea attractive. The first is that if a sufficient force were landed it might succeed by a flank attack in forcing a general- retirement of the German forces from their present positions in West Flanders and Northern Frcunce. The second possibility is that any attempt to move a large body of, troops to Zeebrugge by sea might tempt out the fast fighting ships of the German Navy. Probably submarines would be entrusted with, the task of seeking to send the troopships to the bottom, but there is just a possibility that the importance <tf the movement might be deemed to warrant a dash' by the fast cruisers and fighting ships. Probably, howthe rumoured proposal to land British troops at Zeebrugge is a false alarm. A more likely contingency is another bombardment of the town by British warships.

Clearer light is thrown on the operations in the East by to-day's news. The confusion as to the exact state of affairs in Poland and Galicia is to a certain extent removed. It is quite clear that the Russian Eight Wing near Mlawa, in Northern Poland, has met with distinct suocess, the effect of which must be to paralyse to a large extent the German offensive movement further south. The Times Petrograd correspondent suggests that the German attack on Warsaw was merely an attempt to check the Russian invasion of Germany by way of Silesia—that is to say by way of South-Eastern Germany. General von Hindenbebg struck heavily at the Russian Centre in the hope of forcing a general retirement and relieving the pressure in Galicia, but though he must have met with some success he has failed in his main purpose, and at latest advices the whole scheme seems to have gone awry. The Russians, to use the words of one correspondent, are strongly placed near Oracow, and are within stone's throw of the Silesian frontier. On their Right Wing (in the north) they have defeated the Germans, and are pressing home their victory j - while on their Left Wing in Galicia they are reported to have now checked the Austro-German advance which was threatening their flank from the Carpathians. It is a satisfactory position; but nothing short of the huge forces at the disposal, of Russia could have hoped •to maintain a position stretching over so huge an extent_ of country and with so few facilities for the rapid transport of troops to counter the greator mobility of the enemy.

Apparently the Austro-German attack by way of the Carpathians was not wholly a military movement, but was partly political. That is one of tho drawbacks which the AustroGerman commanders are faced with, and which must embarrass them still more as tho campaign progresses. Failure breeds distrust. Already we have had signs that Austria is suspicious of Germany, and now wo are told that Hungary is distrustful of both Austria- and Germany. "After all," she is declaring in effect, "we are an independent kingdom, and if the German and Austrian commanders will not protect us from Russian invasion we must act for ourselves." No doubt Hungary is encouraged to take this view of things from tho fact that Germany's chief concern very plainly is to prevent Russian armies making their way through Galicia into Germany, and in order to do this the great bulk of the Austro-Hun-garian troops have been moved away into Galicia and Silesia, leaving the way open into Hungary. Strategically tho Austro-German commanders may be pursuing the wisest course, but Hungary can only see that her own immediate interests are being sacrificed. So it has been necessary to make the attack on the Russian Left Flank by way of the Carpathians. The Grand Duke Nicholas, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Forces, a message in-, formed us a day or two ago, viewed this attack with equanimity. Now the news comes that it has been checkcd. Hungary may have been but it is possible that sho has interfered with the military plans of her allies without benefiting herself.

* * •* * Austria seems i;o have been harder hit by Scrvia than was at first realised. Probably the defeat was the rnoro bitter becaueq it camp at

the moment when a crushing victory appeared to be right within her grasp. It looked as though Servia must succumb to the terrible strain imposed on her by tho tremendous resources of her formidable enemy. And then came the rout of the great Austrian Army. Austria is now crying for vengeance on the commander of her troops, whom the aged Emperor has ordered to be court-martialled. These are bitter days for Austria. Heavily smitten in tho East by her great enemy Russia, who_ is over-running hor towns in Galicia, badly beaten by little Servia when victory would have had a heartening effect on the wholo nation, distrustful of Germany and distrusted by Hungary, living in fear of Italy at any moment swelling the ranks of her enemies—Austria, the tool of Germany, is paying tho price of her ambitious folly.

Bbitain has moved promptly and decisively in Egypt. The Khedive sought to betray his old friends and to play Germany's game through Turkey, and he has cot his deserts—. in part at least. He is no longer recognised by Britain as the Khedive, and his successor has been appointed. Egypt is now a British Protectorate, and the uncle of tho ex-IChedive has been made Sultan of Egypt. This_ bold and sweeping step has met with the approval of both France and Italy, who have interests in Northern Africa which are likely to be influenced thereby. One effect of the change will be the further loosening of Turkish influence over Egypt. No doubt attempts will be made to promote trouble, but according to Loud Oromer, late British Agent in Egypt, the ex-Khedive's personal influence there was slight, and the change made will probably be received with very little concern by the great bulk of the population. * * * * 'A beoent issue of the' London Times made reference to the delight of the "Tommies" at the front on receipt of tohacco and oigaretteß.' "Those who have just returned from tho front," The 'Times said, "report that many of our soldiers still long for a supply of . cigarettes and tobacco." The London Press are receiving donations for the purchase of tobacoo and cigarettes for tho men who frequently oannot buy the English article they ar.e accustomed to, and who greatly appreciate the kindly thoughtfulness wnich has prompted those at Home to 'provide them with the comforts of a good smoke, Some time ago we opened a fund and reoeived subscriptions 'at this office for the purchase of tobacoo and cigarettes for _ our New. Zealand tro'opß on active service. A failamount was subscribed, and through the generosity of Messes. W. D. and H. 0. Wills,' who agreed to supply the cigarettes and tobacco at about one-third their usual retail price, 10001b. weight of "Capstan" tobacco has already . been forwarded to Egypt, where it should reach our troops about New Year's time, and make a welcome New Year's gift. The tobacco and cigarettes are packed in tins, _ each of which contains a oard bearing the inscription, "Presented by the people of New Zealand to their contingent." In England no less a sum than £12,0C0 was subscribed through The Weekly Dispatch for tho supply of tobacco for the men at the front, and nothing,, it seems, could bo more welcome to them. Our own men will no doubt be equally pleased with such gifts, both on account of their usefulness and tho evidence they will afford of our interest in their welfare. Subscriptions should be addressed to The Dominion and marked "Tobacoo Fund." Arrangements have been made by which tne tobacco and cigarettes will reach the men wherever tney may be; whether in Egypt or in tho fighting line in Europe. A modest half-crown will ensure the dispatch of 100 cigarettes and a 4oz. tin of tobacco—there should be a good many half-crowns to spare for such a purpose.