LOCAL AND GENERAL" .

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2523, 31 July 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL" .

pect rather than any early attempt to break tho Gorman resistance in tho Western theatre, and that advices regarding the ■ position of American munitions contracts point in the samo direction. Whatever importance may be attached to these indications, liowever, and certainly they cannot be ignored, thoy are not absolutely conclusive. Like most of tho other big facts of the war, the line of action to bo adopted by the Western Allies in the'ifnmediate future, not being a matter of. definite knowledge, is an open question. The possibility that a blow may be struck for the relief of the Russians hrfnre thoy have been compellod to retire from tho Vistula rests on the assumption that the magnitude of the Getman operations in the Eastern theatre has so weakened their line on tho West as to present an opportunity to tho Allies in that theatre which they may be able to' turn to account earlier than they had intended.

• ' » * / • Like the greater question of the ultimate .fate of the war, the- turn of events in the immediate future must depend upon -relative volume of resources,in men and material. On what is known of tho facts, the Germans must now be employing the larger half of their available forces against the llussiaus in the Eastern theatre. The statement attributed to the Crown Prince that the Germans in France are covering their comrades in tho Eastern battlefield, postponing meantime a definite settlement with tho Fre'neh, is no doubt accurate enough in its indication as to the distribution of German forces. Estimates of ths remaining German strength. vary to some extent, but no British authority, so far as we have noted, has put forward'a higher estimate than the military correspondent of the Morning Post. This writer recently affirmed his belief in tho approximate accuracy of an estimate whicli he mado in February last. He then put the total remaining resources of tho Germans at seven millions, including men in the field, in garrisons, at depots, and those training or to be trained. Writing in June, the Morning Post correspondent stated that the Berlin correspondent of . the New York Evening Post had recently given an identical estimate in almost identical terms. The estimates varied, however, by the volume of German wastage between February and June. Another British authority, Colonel Maude, adopts the estimate of the French official review of tho war that the Germans in January last had approximately 4,000,000 men in the field, and, in addition, reserves trained, training, or untrained, totalling 2,000,000. Between these estimates there is a discrepancy of upwards of 1,000,000, since tho wask ago 'of a month or -more must be subtracted from the French official estimate for purposes of comparison. The rate of German wastage is given in tho French official review as 260,000 per month. On this basis tho total German strength at present under tho highest estimate quoted would be about 5,700,000 men, not all of whom would be in the field in either main theatre. A certain number of German troops arc required at interior depots, and to garrison the northern sea coast and neutral frontiers. Accepting the, figures of the Frenoh official review, the total German strength for all purposes could not now exceed about .4,500,000 men. Apart from the discrepancy in these; two. estimates of aggregate strength, however, many reports from the Eastern theatre, especially from Galieia, have gone to show that German losses during tho last few months have been so abnormal as to make it highly probable that the rate of total wastage has been increased. Leaving this factor out of account, however; the highest of the two estimates .would give the Germans an available strength of something like five million men for distribution between 1 the two main theatres, and the lower estimate would mako the total about four millions. In either case it is assumed that no German- troops are detailed against Italy,_ although in actual fact it is practically certain that Germany will at least ma-intilin a strong force covering her Bavarian frontier. * # * *

Even if it bo assumed that the higher of these estimates is nearest to the truth there is every reason to, suppose that considerably more than half of the available German forces are pressing the offensive against the Russians. Considering the scope of the operations, it is not an extravagant assumption that nearly three million German soldiers may be engaged in the Eastern theatre. Even that section of the front on which tho German attack has made itself heavily felt and compelled a withdrawal and contraction of the Russian defensive lines is hundreds of miles in length. Past German attempts to capture Warsaw were confined to a comparatively limited area, but the operations in progress practically resolve themselves into a frontal attack on the whole west-ward-facing Vistula line, in conjunction with' great sweeping movements designed to turn the flanks of the line on north and south. The attack on the southern flank, from Galicia, is developed and well advanced, and a similar movement is threatened—though it has not yet so definitely developed—by the German invading forces in the Baltic Provinces. '

The big advantage possessed by the Germans as matters stand is that they are enabled to mass a superior force against the weaker of the two main divisions of the Allied forces. In, the aggregate, the Allies possess a superiority of numerical strength, but unless they can now take such action in France or .Flanders as will compel the Germans to slacken in their offensive against Russia, this preponderance for the time being is of no avail. Very great questions are thus hanging in the balance to bo decided in the near future. The fate of the war is not at stake, but the .struggle for Warsaw and the Vistula cannot be decided without exerting an important influence upon the diiration of the war. Not m«oh attention need be paid either to the optimistic view that the Russians are merely waiting tho favourable momont to strike or to tho jubilations in whioh the Germans are already indulging on tho assumption 'thai the Russian power is. about to bo broken in the most gigantic battle of history, while England looks on, making no effort to redress tho situation. The truth is to bo found somewhere within -these extremes, and for British people the kernel of the situation is no doubt to bo found in the comment made by Mb. Lloyd George, that events in the East portend a larger share of the burden than ever will bo cast upon Britain's shoulders. That-the Germans have been able to go so far as they have in concentrating against ltussia already shows pretty clearly, that a great aeal rc- /

mains to bo done in building up the effective strength of' the Allied Western armies, and if the enemy succeed so far in their enterprise as to capture Warsaw and the Vistula line the call for increased exertion in the other great theatre will be unmistakable.

Admittinq this, it need not be assumed that the Russians aro in danger of any such crushing _ disaster as the .Germans are rejoicing over in advance. If the armies holding end covering the Vistula have to retire they will no doubt destroy the railways behind them as they go. The most important results of a German victory would probably bo t>ho possibility of holding the Russians with, reduced forces, and consequent liberty to transfer men -and guus to the Western theatre. At the same time, a German victory on tho Vistula/ coinciding with comparative inertia on the Western front would, be a fairly convincing indication that the end of the war is not yet in sight.

A late message _ from Petrograd calls for no additional comment. It states that the newspapers ai'o preparing the public for a further withdrawal, necessitated _by_ tho_ enemy's overwhelming superiority in artillery arid munitions. It was indicated some days ago that the Russians if they had to retire might fall back as far as the Osowiec-Brest Litowsk-Wlodawa, line—that _is to say, a line running approximately north and south, about 120 miles east of Warsaw. Until the great question of whether the Russians are to retire or riot is decided—and a decision seems now very close at hand —accounts of detail fighting are less important than they would otherwise be, hut some of them indicate that the Russians have fought successful actions both north of WarSaw and in Southern Poland.

Accounts, in hand of the Western operations are in remarkable, contrast to tho reports of the gigantic struggle on the opposite front. In the main they describe a state of siege warfare in which the Allies have gained some minor advantages.Some very interesting descriptions are given of tho state of affairs at tho Dardanelles, but at timo'of writing no event of outstanding importance is recorded. Encouragement is to be- drawn from the particulars supplied of the splendid organisation of the Allied invasion, but at the' same time the messages show clearly that the Turkish defence is far from being broken down, and a Mitylene report states that the Turks seem lately to have obtained large supplies of artillery ammunition—possibly portion of the war material which they were lately reported to have purchased from Bulgaria, ■ .#* « «

A stoey to be remembered in New. Zealand was told by Me. Lloyd Geoege in the stimulating speech which is reported at length to-day. Casting about for an example of the which will enable the nation to win through the war, tho Minister found it in the unflinching valour of sick men in the Australian and New Zealand battalions at the Dardanelles, who flatly declined to go on the sick list until they had assisted in repelling a'-Turkish attack.

The Postmaster-General announces that telephone communication with all military camps and hospitals can now bo obtained at . any time from Wellington—Sundays as well as week-days. A fair number of witnesses have yet to make their appearance before the Trentham Camp Commission. Colonel Valintine, Director of Military Hospitals, is called for Tuesday next; Colonel Purdy,_ the Director of Military Services, is to give further evidence; Dr. Frengley, of ihe' Health Department (the Commission considers) is entitled to bo heard again; and the Chief of the General Military Staff (Colbnel Gibbon) also will probably bo called. No news lias yet been received by tho Defence Minister about the Maori Contingent having gone to the front or having been in action. It is clear from the fact that casualties in their ranks have occurred that tho Maoris havo seen active service, but the Minister has had no other information than that contained in the casualty lists. Information about the mails which should have come by the Maraina was given by the Hon. Sir Francis Bell in the Legislative Council yesterday, in reply to a question by tho Hon. J. Dutliie. Sir Francis Bell said that advice had been received that the Marama carried no European mails, none having been dispatched to meet her at San Francisco. _ The steamer was delayed at San Francisco by the Postmaster-Gen-eral of New Zealand, until it was ascertained that no mails were, to connect' with her. The L-ondon Ppst Office in its reply did not say by which route thq mails would be dispatched, but no doubt they would have been sont .b'y tho P. and O. steamer leaving England on July 15, arriving at Melbourne on August 15, and in New Zealand four or five days later. However, the P. and 0. mails could not now bo absolutely relied upon. Four persons suffering from scarlet fever have been admitted to the Masterton Hospital during the last few days. Alien subjects aud the question of their employment formed the ground of discussion at tho. Farmers' . Union Conferpiico yesterday morning. Mr. J. M'Queen (Southland) moved: "That the Government be asked to find some employment for ahen subjects who are not interned as prisonors. of war, but who have been thrown out of employment, so that they may, be enabled to maintain, themselves and families, as if unemployed, and without means of support, they may become a menace to the Dominion." Tho mover'cited a caso which had como under his notice, where a Gorman had been so persecuted that lie had been unable to obtain employment. and had appealed to the Patriotic Society for assistance. Mr. Geo. ■Shcat (North Canterbury) • also protested against tho persecution of aliens in tho Dominion, and Mr. Geo. Gardner (North Canterbury) suggested that tho aliens hero could thank their stars that they wero not in Belgium, in the North of France, or ou tho road to Warsaw. (Hear, hear.) The remit was finally adopted on the voices. "That the New Zealand Farmers' Union in conference wish to express to the Australian Commonwealth their deep appreciation of the services rendered to New Zealand by the protection of their navy and congratulate them on the bearing of their men in their licet and at tho, Dardanelles." This was the text of a resolution .carried at the Farmers' Union Confcrenco yesterday afternoon. The' secretary of the conference was directed to forward the resolution to tho Comnionwcalth Prhuo Minister. Owing to tho war local motorists are finding it difficult to obtain necessary supplies. . However, they will find that the Dominion's finest Garago have stocks which no doubt will help them. This Garage—the D.M.V.—is situated in Tory Street, just off thq Courtenay Place woodblocking. Tyres in stock include American ami English sizes. Hours, 7 a.m. to midnight; 7 ,to 10 a.m., 6 to 11 p.jn, Sun-dpya.-Ad.Tt.

Yesterday the Fanners' Union Coil' ferenco again protested against magistrates -sending undesirables into - country districts where police supervision is much less easily exercised than in the towns. There has been a slight decrease in tho takings at tlio Wellington Zoo for the lasfc month. For the four weeks ending July 28 the takings amounted to £34 2s. 6d., while for the corresponding month last year a little over £40 Was taken. Throe,days, including Saturday, have yet to bo added to this month's takings. On Thursday next a ceremony will be held at the Brooklyn School, to commemqrato the completion of extensive additions. Tho chairman of the Wellington Education Board (the Hon. J. G. W. Aitkcn) will preside. The' majority of the charges against Territorials who appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday wero withdrawn. In sonio cases this was due 1 to the_ fact that the persons charged had joined the Expeditionary Forces. According to a statement made by the Mayor, Mr. J. P.'Lnko, at yesterday's meeting of tho Governors of Wellington College there are at present thirty painters out of work la the city. This, it is imdei stood, is due to the short-ass of paint. r „ A meeting of the executive of the. Wellington Central Cliamber of Commerce was held yesterday to consider tho question of trading with the enemy. A special committee was set up to arrange practical details and to report within a week to a further meeting. It was suggested that an exhibition of German goods be arranged and figures procured showing the extent of our trade with Germany. A Dominion Kegister for ascertaining the limit of New Zealand's resources in men and material is favoured by the Farmers' Union. The subject had been dehated to some extent on Wednesday and yesterday afternoon, and tho conference, on the motion of Mr. E. Maxwell (Tara-. iiaju), adopted the following resolution: —"That it is the opinion of this conference that a Dominion llegister should he forthwith compiled so that absolute knowledge as to our resources in men, etc., should be available' immediately.

The sporting proclivities of the young men of the British Empire aniaze the Germans, who pretend to seo in the Anglo-Saxon love. of sport a sign of national degeneration. But sport lias its uses at the front. It is interesting to learn that some of tho Canadian troops use lacrosse sticks for throwing hand grenados into the German trenches, and are able in this way to throw them further, and more accurately, and with' less jis'c than otherwise. This is a fiue testimony to the practical value of lacrosse, which is tue national game of Canada. A hoy appeared before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., in the Juvenile Court yesterday, charged with stealing two raz-' ors and two pairs of spectacles valued at £2 15s. from William Hart's sliop, and with stealing £1 Us. from Annie O'Sliea. He was convicted aud committed to the Industrial School. Four moro men are being called up from the Wellington Git.v and Suburbs district for the Ambulanco section of the Bth Reinforcements. These men, Malcolm Douglas, Leonard Norman Williams, Frank Wiseman,' and Oswald Coombridge, will go into camp with tho rest of the draft for the' Eighth on August 17. Mr. Arthur Marsack, of Auckland, who left for London early in the year, lias received a commission as captain in tho Royal Army Medical Corps. In' a letter to Mr. W. B. Briscoe, or Remuera, Dr. Marsack writes that he is at present stationed at the military hospital in Chatham,' - where at tho time of writing some 40,000 troops were stationed. Mrs. Marsack and tlioiivfamily are.,'with Dr. Marsack. - \ A new picture theatre is to be erected by , the Masterton Picture and Entertainment Company on a central site in the main thoroughfare. ; ,-.

The Hastings Borough. Council has expressed its intention of letting tlie Municipal ■ Theatre, now being built, for moving pictures. Charles Black, bootmaker, of Martinborough, was on Thursday adjudicated bankrupt (says our Masterton correspondent). * The New 'Zealand, Natives' Association Band will give' a performance N at the Oriental Bay Kiosk on Sundayafterncon. Permission lias been received from the City Council to taka up a collection, the money to go in aid of getting necessities provided by the Ladies' Guild for the sick and wounded. Tho grocers' dispute was settled yesterday before tho Conciliation Council, saya a Press Association telegram from Auckland. A special preference clausa is provided and increases in wages are given in most cases for assistants over twenty-two years of age. The increase amounts to 7s. 6d. per week. "Many of the questions set for junior scholarship examinations are utterly ridiculous," remarked Mr. Hopkirk, the retiring president of the Wellington branclr of the Educational Institute at the annual meeting of tlie body last evening. "It is time," he added. "w8 as teachers ask the Government to do away with such examinations."Although a score of workers' homes and numerous other dwellings'have been erected in Masterton during the last few months there is still and unsatisfied demand for houses, in the town (saya our correspondent). Tlie exodus of New Zealand doctors for the war was touched on.by Mr. J. B. Hopkirk in his presidential address to the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute last evening. He thought that as some districts in the country would soon (if not already) be left without doctors, the Government should divide the Dominion into districts and supply (free) doctors, nurses, and equipment for the care or the people's health. Mr. John Farrell, representing J. C. Williamsou, Ltd., arrived from the south yesterday to make arrangements for the first New Zealand representation of the patriotio drama "The Man Who Staved at Home," to be staged at the Grand Opera. House on Wednesday) August 11. 1

The sale of novels is twenty times greater than the sale of histi ucth 8 works.