PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2462, 15 May 1915, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A. budget of otherwise fairly sat isfactory news from the various theatres of war is marred to-day by the announcement that another British battleship has been sunk,' the third British ship of her class to. be lost at the Dardanelles. Worse still, five hundred officers and men, the greater portion of her crew, have perished with their ship. H.M.S. Goliath was torpedoed on Thursday ■night inside the Dardanelles strait while engaged in the dangerous service of guarding the flank of the French Dombarding squadron. We must expect such losses in operations of the nature in question, but they are none the less unwelcome when they occur. In normal circumstances searchlights and - quick-firing guns provide an undamaged battleship with adequate means of defence against an attack by torpedo craft, but no doubt the Turkish destroyer which_ sank the Goliath profited by the winding character of the strait, and the indentations of the coastline, to make a sudden dash and launch her torpedo before the guns of the battleship could do their appointed work. There is no reason to suppose that the loss of the Goliath will have any appreciable effect upon the progress of the Dardanelles campaign, but the loss cannot on that account be dismissed as negligible. Built fifteen years ago, at a cost of £900,000, the Goliath was a sister-ship of the Ocean, sunk by a mine in one of the early attacks on the Narrows, and belonged to a class of battleship which has proved very useful in the work upon which the Allied Fleet is engaged at the Dardanelles. The public imagination has been gripped by the achievement of the magnificent Queen Elizabeth in battering the forts with long-range fire, but much '■of the spade-work of the bombardment has been done by the squadron of old battleships _ in which the Goliath a serviceable unit. Like other ships of her class she carried four 12-inch guns and a strong secondary armament of twelve 6-inch guns; and the 6-inch gun is playing a very important part in the enterprise of forcing the Dardanelles. The protective armour of the Goliath was much lighter than in more modern ships. Her main belt was only six inches thick, but she had eight and twelve-inch armour in her gun-turrets and barbottes.

Four great ships have now been lost at the Dardanelles, besides, a submarine and some small craft, but though heavy in itself this cannot be considered in the circumstances an unduly big price to pay. It is now manifest that only the failure of the Turks to take full advantage of the natural strength of their seastronghold has made it possible to carry the attack so far without mucii more serious naval losses being incurred'. For instance, forts along the outer shore of the Clallipoli Peninsula, even as strong as tho.se which guard the line of the strait, would have enormously strengthened the defence. Until (hey were reduced by frontal attack the long-range bombardment of the inner forts by ships, themselves enjoying complete immunity from return lire, would have been absolutely impossible. Equally, of course, well-placc'd forts an the outer coast would have complicated the landing of the troops which ar j now playing uo less important a pari, than the fleet, in (lie attack upon 1 the •Dardanelles. In existing circumstances the attack is facilitated by an obvious deficiency n{ fijftp., i 5 nri ifc rent'He .-of the bprnbiudnwat JaiaJkig it faiu'ly. evident i

that the established forts were and are deficient in artillery of _ the most powerful type. The opinion has been expressed and there is a good deal of evidence to support it, that if the Dardanelles had been a German stronghold and fortified as well as are tho German naval ports on the North Sea, all attacks would have been vain. The Germans have dono what they could to repair the weaknesses due to Turkish neglect, and are no doubt responsible for the presence of the howitzer and other mobile batteries which have played a prominent part in tho defence, but they began too late to carry tho work to completion. More time and money than the German-Turkish combination had at command are required to construct and arm the strong forts necessary to laise the Dardanelles, defences to the highest possible standard, and for that fact the attackers have every reason to be thankful. Even as matters stand, the enterprise of forcing the Dardanelles is a formidable one, and the losses on land and sea—to which tho loss of the Goliath is the latest, though it may not provo the last, addition—are not an exorbitant price to pay for the ultimate conquest which now seems assured.

The Goliath has not gone entirely unavenged, for it is reported that two Turkish' gunboats and a large transport have been sunk in the Sea of Marmora by the British submarine El 4. A Turkish report that the remaining Australian' submarine A.E2 (another boat of tho "E" class) has been sunk in the Sea of Marmora has as yet only elicited from the Admiralty the statement' that the report has not been . confirmed. Possibly this is intended for a complete denial; the Turkish report is at least two days old, and the actual facts must be known by this time. It is conceivable that the successful exploit of El 4 furnished the inspiration of the Turk: ish report. The fact that our submarines have been able to avoid the dangers of the strait and penetrate through to the Sei of Marmora is significant in itself, and opons up big possibilities. * * * # Stories of submarine activities in the Sea of Marmora are amplified by a message from Tenedos vhich states that two British submarines (presumably Eld and AE2) penetrated the .Dardanelles minefields (as the little 81l did some months ago) and have for tho past fortnight been playing havoc with the Tuikisti transports bound for Gallipoii. r be submarines, of course, are engaged upon a _ desperately risky service, and their fate is uncertain. The Turks claim to have captured them, but of this as yet no confirmation is supplied.

Late news from Italy is bad. Signor Salandiu's Cabiret has resigned, "considering that it does not possess the unanimous assent of the constitutional parties in regard to international policy which thegravity of the situation demands." This will be generally interpreted as meaning that the late Cabinet was uncertain of obtaining the necessary measure of support if it declared for Italian intervention in the war on the side of the Entente. Probably Signor Giolitti, the influential ex-Minister who was lately reported to have advised the Kino of Italy that Austria's offered concessions we're reasonable, will now be sent for to form a Ministry. The likelihood of Italy entering the War thus seems to have considerably receded, but the situation is by no means clear-cut, nor is it free from extraordinary features. For one thing Signor Salandra and his colleagues have resigned within a few days of the meeting of the Italian Parliament, which is to assemble on May 20. More surprising still, they have resigned (if another report can be trusted) while a communication from Austria, conveying that country's,final offer of a settlement of Italy's claims, is actually in transit to Rome. Around this complex situation rumours _ are afloat which do little to assist in its elucidation. One story speaks of a conference between the Kaiser and the Emperor of Austria to consider army dispositions in the event of Italy refusing Austria's final offer. Directly conflicting accounts are given of the attitude and opinions of the Berlin newspapers, one account declaring that they speak of the "Italian storm" having passed, and another that they! have issued a warning that it would be dangerous for Germany to harbour the slightest optimism The one fact definitely established is that the Italian Cabinet has resigned, and this cannot be regarded as a favourable development by those who desire to see Italy enter the war on the Bide of the Entente. On the other hand, it is far from being clear, that the issue is finally decided. _ Conceivably a situation has arisen in Italy comparable in some'respects to that which exists in Grecce, where a Minister favouring war,. and reported to reflect in that the popular will, has been displaced (tem-. porarily or otherwise) because his views are out of harmony with those of his King. In Italy the power behind the throne appears to be Signor Giolitti, and it has yefc to be shown what influence he is capable of exerting. A story that his house in ''Rome is being guarded by troops suggests that he is not exactly a popular idol, and the nature of popular demonstrations in Italy during the past few months very strongly suggests that Signor Giolitti's return to power to carry out an amicable arrangement with Austria would be very far from commanding'popular favour.

I Probably in their diplomatic dealings with Italy, Germany and Austria are playing for no higher stake than continued Italian neutrality. To that extent the importance of Italy's decision, from the standpoint of the Entente is narrowed down. She may withhold her aid—though by so doing silo will in part sacrifice her national ambitions and sacrifice altogether a considerable proportion of her countrymen who have made a bravo struggle to preserve their nationality under Austrian tyranny—but she is not at all likely to become an active enemy. Graver considerations arise, however, where the Balkans are concerned. Granted Italy's participation in the war, her countenance would almost certainly have ensured a Balkao Confederation, friendly to the Entente, which would have considerably hastened the demise of Turkey. Failing Italj s participation no such unanimity m the Balkans is assured, and garia in once more becomes an uncertain factor. Action by Bulgaria on behalf of .turkey would, of course, immensely complicate I he Da rdanelles campaign,, but it is I'ftlhev soon yst to anticipato

any unfavourable development of this character.

» * * * In the great battle in Northern Franco the honours rest for the time being with the French, who havo captured the fortified village of Carcncy, five miles north and a little west of Arras, and other positions further east. Even this is but a part of the ifrsncn achievcirem. North of Carcncy, between th. r >t place and La Bassee, they penetrated the enemy's lines in a- ttroiiic assault, and progressed for a sp3 :e of two and a half miles in Jie space of ninety minutes. The Germans admit the loss of Carcncy and positions to the east. While the French are thus, making rapid' strides towards (lie main railway south from Lillo, the British attack north of La Basscc does not seem to bo making equal progress. A reason is assigned by the Times correspondent at Dunkirk, who declares that the British forces are hampered by a shortage of the high explosives essential in the preliminary operations of smashing the German defence. In -this particular the British appear to be at a decidcd disadvantage as compared witli their Allies, and Iho position, if it is correctly described, furnishes a striking commonkry upbn the troubles connected with labour in Great Britain 1 by wh'di the output of munitions has been hindered.

Splendid news comes from German South-West Africa—a dispawh from General Botha stating that the inland capital, "Windhoek, has been occupied without' resistance, and that the result is practica'ly the complete possession of tin wuole colony. Though comparatively "ittlo has been heard about it up to the present time, the campaign in Gorman South-West Africa will eventually take rank as by no means the least important campaign of the war. At ike outsit the Germans had a force of something like 16 COO men,_ including <i consideraoio proportion of troops, and piovided with modern artillery ur cl eren with aeroplanes. The work organisation of the colony was planned witji an eye to military strength, and almost completely encircled as it is by 'a wide belt of desert country, its _ conquest presented exceedingly difficult problems. That the conquest should to all intents ai d purposes have been achieved in the space of a little over three months is a remarkable tribute to the skill and determination of General Botha and the quality of the forces which he leads. The German plans in the first instance were upset by General Botha's firm and speedy suppression of the rebellion which they conspired to foment in South Africa. He has now given them a second and no less striking ''emoastration of his uncommon powers. * * * *

A message from Athens indicates that land operations in the Gallipoli Peninsula have not yet reached a decisive point, though desperate fighting is in progress. It is mentioned that British reinforcements are arriving in a steady stream, and landing without difficulty. ' . *'* * *

On the messages so far received it is not possible to form a clear estimate of what is happening in Western Galicia. The Germans officially claim that General vox Hackensen and his army have crossed the River San, and are within 25 miles of Przemysl. This would entail a Russian retreat of nearly forty miles from the. Wisloka line, upon which they were reported yesterday to have taken their stand, and a- retirement from the Carpathians, not only >at the Dukla Piss but for a- considerable distance towards the Uszok Pass, sixty miles further east. Possibly the German story is intended .rather to edify Italy than to present facts, but unfortunately the latest communique from Petrograd affords no evidence upon which to test it. The communique is presented in two opposed versions, one stating that the intensity of the fighting in Western Galicia has decreased, and the other that it _is increasing. Until it appears which is the correct version the actual position remains quite uncertain. * # * *

While information is awaited under this head, it must be accepted as a hopeful sign that the Russians, despite the pressure in Western Galicia, have been' able to resume the offensive' on the northern frontier of Bukowina from the line to which they retired, on evacuating that crownland a couple of months ago. As yet, however, they have'not made much, progress in retracing their steps. They report heavily defeating the enemy on a forty-mile front across the northern encl of .Bukowina but the locality of the engagement is some twenty miles north of Czernowitz, the capital of Bukowina; and therefore at in equal distance from the north-western extremity of Rumania. Details of the recent fighting, however, including the capture of 5000 prisoners 1 . in a single day, indicate that the Russians should again bo ablo to strike south into Bukowina, it they consider that the end justifies the cost entailed. Their last invasion of the crownland was possibly prompted by a hope that Rumania would seize the opportunity to effect a junction with the Russian forces and engage in a combined invasion of Eastern Hungary. If this was the Russian expectation it was defeated/ on_ that occasion, by Rumania's continued neutrality. * * * * In the Baltic provinces fighting continues in the Shavli region (60 miles north of East Prussia), the Germans having brought up reinforcements, but the Russians report a further victory, and claiin that they are pressing the enemy in retreat. A message from the Times correspondent at Petrograd confirms the impression that Libau, the Russian naval port on the Baltic- which has been occupied by the Germans, was weakly garrisoned, and not seriously defended. On present information the German raid, into the Baltic Provinces does not seem to have aohicved its intended object of creating a diversion which would have seriously deranged the Russian main campaign.