PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2532, 5 August 1915, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

l Although the end of a year of war finds the Entente Powers still confronted by unbeaten enemies, it would be a very pessimistic view, and one in no way warranted by the facts, to assume that they are not appreciably nearer 'victory than they were after the shock of the earlier battles. It is much better to take the position stated by M. -Goremkin (Prime Minister of Russia): "After a year of war we can say with certainty that _wc are twelve months nearer tho liberation of tho world, since wo aro all determined to complete that liberation." There has been some bad news of late, and Russia in particular is passing through dark and troubled days, but events as they have been recorded to date make it no speculation, but rather a positive statement of fact that the noii-German Powers must in the end prevail so long as they maintain and give effect to that determination of which M. Gorejikin has spoken. Danger exists only in the possibility of slackened effort by any or all of the Powers leagued and pledged tu Germany's downfall. Otherwise the dominant fcaturo of the situation is, as it has been since the early days of the war, the gradual growth and development of an aggregato force superior to that of Germany, and a coincident loss by that country of the initial advantage which she enjoyed as a result of her long and studied preparation.

Quite apart from the Entente superiority in naval power and its potent influence upon economic and other factors, the progress of the land campaigns affords no warrant for alarm as to the future so long as the units of the anti-German Alliance hold together, and eaoh. play their part with vigour and determination. The Russian retreat in Poland cannot be called a development favourable to the Allies, but it has yet to appear that the German success in this region will hinderit may actually expedite—that strengthening and better equipment of tho Allied armies which is an essential preliminary to victory. The Germans, it is true, are in_ a fair way to gain a strong defensive line in Poland, which can be held with some advantage against future Russian assaults, but it is fairly safe to assume that the Vistula line is being assaulted, not for the sake of invading Poland, but because portions of the German Eastern frontier are naturally weak and difficult to,'defend. If this frontier were strong throughout, it is likely that Germany would now bo holding it with the minimum possible force, and pouring her armies westward, to try conclusions with the Allies in France and Flanders. In looking at the broad facts of tho :var it should be remembered always that Germany took the field with tho plan of masterful aggression, which, she has in the main failed to realise.

Conflicting reports have bc6n coming through recently about the riiovement of German troops between the two main theatres. Big movements, both from West to East and vice versa, have been alleged, and while these reports are not necessarily in conflict—there might be an element of exchange, seasoned troops being withdrawn and replaced jiy new levies—some difference of opinion evidently exists as to the manner in which Germany is distributing her forces between the two theatres. The London Times, for instance, challenges reports that troops have keen withdrawn from the Western theatre to reinforce the German Eastern armies. Tho facts aro pos : sibly contained in a message from Zurich, whioh states that tho Russian defensivo has compelled a German ohango of plan, and that a movement of veteran troops ■ from the Western to the Eastern theatre, which began three weeks ago, is still in progress, and that their places arc being taken in the West by lightly-trained drafts of young recruits of 18 and 19, and Landsturmcrs from 45 to 48 years of age. Germany's reserves, it is stated, arc approaching the point of exhaustion, and tho men now being sent to tho front have been trained for only five weeks, whereas it was intended that their training should coutinuc until acp.tmbety

Time alone will show how far these reports and estimates arc accurate, but- it is not at 'all unreasonable to suppose that the war as it stands, and with great additional burdens still to bo taken up, is imposing an' almost unendurable strain upon German resources. The offensive in the Eastern theatre is by far the biggest enterprise Germany has ever undertaken in that area, and oil visible indications it holds out a prospect of long-continued heavy fighting. The Russian withdrawal from the Vistula is, of conrsc, beset with perils, but the Germans also are faced by a very dofinite danger that they may dissipate strength, in trying to pen up the Russians, which will shortly be of life and death importance on the opposite front.- They cannot well desist from tho great enveloping movement- now under way, but unless it leads soon to some definite result it will certainly cost them a greater outlay in men and material than they can afford, in view of the task that awaits .them in France and Flanders. It is, therefore, not impossible that they are' now taking desperate (risks .in attempting to rcach a decision in the Russian campaign. For tho view expressed_ in ono message that the Russian withdrawal is dictated, not by mere necessity, but by sound strategy, it is at least to be said that it appears to bo imposing a maximum drain upon German resources which has not yet been compensated, and is not immediately -likely to be, by any decisive advantage. Meantime, as M. Clemenceau has said, each hour gives the Allies more strength, and time is fighting on their side.

. News at time of writing shows no material alteration in the general situation in the two main theatres. Petrograd reports state that the retreat in Poland—now as "the narrowing of the Polish front" •—continues according to plan with the utmost success, and this presentation of the position is not seriously contested by German reports in hand. The principal event mentioned in these reports is an eastward advance in tho Baltic Provinces. This is a movement directly threatening the ' Petrogracl-Warsaw railway, but no very _ clear idea is given of the strength in. which it is being developed. For the rest, the position west of Warsaw is unaltered, and heavy fighting is in progress on the Narew front, north of Warsaw, south, in the region of Ivangorod and in Southern Poland. The forces defending Ivangorod have lost one line of retreat _ since the Germans crossed the railway running east across Southern foland, but another line remains available which runs north-east from the Vistula at Ivangorod to Brest Litowsk. Where the position has changed during the last few weeks it has changed always to the advantage of tho Austro-Germans, but the. progress made by. their great enveloping movement is slow. Compelled as they are to retire, the Russians are evidently conducting the movement methodically and with the utmost deliberation.

An optimistic but not very convincing account of the situation in Poland is given by an American correspondent, Mr. Stanley Washburn. His. suggestion that Warsaw may yet be .saved is hardly consistent with the record of events, and in any caso is rather disci-edited by the Russian official communique, speaking quite frankly of a "narrowing process"— simply a polite variation of "retreat." Mr. Washburn's message, however, is interesting in its suggestion that the Germans are already more or less hampered by transport problems. This was to be expected, and the trouble will no doubt become more acute as the advance into Poland, proceeds.

The statement that "later reports indicate that the Germans are retiring in the direction of Grojec" is of no particular importance, coming as it does with no particular authority. The movement indicated is a southward march of forces which have lately been assaulting the Russian lines south-west of Warsaw. Such a movement would not necessarily be a retirement. It might instead be a concentration against Ivangorod or against some portion of the Vistula between Warsaw and Ivangorod. The Germans have forced this section of the river, and may be intent upon extending their foothold on the east bank.

An official report tells of a small but auction at the Dardanelles, in which Australians and New Zealanders attacked and carried a range of Turkish trenches upon a ridge which is now included in, and strengthens, the Allied front. Though the leading details of tho affair are thus clearly stated, and 1 it is evident that the attacking forces bore themselves gallantly, the locality of the engagement is 'not cleariy indicated in the official messages, but a Constantinople report speaks of an Allied attack (which it says was quite unsuccessful) near An Burnu, that is to say, near tho southern end of tho position occupied by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

There is a Dutch report of heavy fighting on tie Ypres front. This may be tho first glimpse of a renewed 'offensive in tho Western theatre, but is as likely to be only an expanded story of the recent local action at Hoogc, in which the Germans gained a temporary advantage by the use of flame-projectors. Tho fi'ghting on that occasion, though localised, was heavy, but the details given in the Dutch message—the thunder of heavy guns, the detonation of mines, and tho passage of a long stream of wounded from Ho'oge to tho Gorman base at Courtrai— certainly suggest that the action has been renewed upon an extended scalc.

An Amsterdam report states that Prussian casualty lists show a total of losses up to the end of July of 1,641,569. Making a3O per cent, increase on account of South German forces, this would imply that Germany's total losses to date (exclusive of those suffered by . the Navy) number about 2,134,000. In other words, she has lost something between a quarter and u. third of the total military strength in trained and untrained men witli which she entered the war. An allowance must be made for the recovery, of a proportion of the wounded, but on tho other hand the Germans have been accused of excluding the names of slightly wounded men from their casualty lists, and they publish no record of sick.

"This year wo have had the largest run of quinnat salmon since their establishment in New Zealand," said Mr, W, l'. at, ycisUsi'iltty'H Confcreiico of Acclimatisation Societies-

"I have no doubt that attempts are secretly and surreptitiously beinfj made at tho present time by peoplo in this, country to cany on business with tho enemy," said' the Attorney-General (tho Hon. A. L. iierdiiian) in addressing the conference of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce yesterday. Ho pointed out that it was tho duty of anyone knowing of such attempts to immediately communicate with tho Government, who would liavo the fullest investigation mado of any cases brought under notice. "Sinco the advent of the motor-car a greedy shooter can play havoc going from district to district. If things aro allowed to go on as at present feathorod gamo will soon be a, thing of tho past," said Mr. W. Pollard (Marlborough) at the Acclimatisation Societies] Conference yesterday, when advocating a severe restriction on the shooting of native and imported game. Mr. C. A. W. Whitney (Tauranga) supported the remit, on tho broad grounds that gamo was disappearing all over New Zealand, even in the north of Auckland, which used to be a paradise for the sportsman. Tho remit was lost.

LOCAL AND GENERAL His Excellency the Governor received a cablo message yesterday morning announcing the arrival of the Hospital Ship Maheno at Colombo at 10 p.m. last Monday (August 2). The message further stated that the vessel would continuo her voyage yesterday; that all on board were well; and that thero wero 110 cases of illness of any kind on tho ship. The Maheno left Wellington on July 11. "That this Conference of New Zealand Chambers of Conuncrco records its appreciation and admiration of the gallant conduct of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces in Gallipoji, and expresses its sincero sympathy witli our wounded soldiers and witli tlio relatives [ of thoso who havo fallen in upholding the honour of tho Dominion and of the Empire."—This was tho text of a resolution carried at yesterday's sitting of tho conference of Now Zealand Chambers of Commerce. It was decided to cablo the first portion of the resolution to General Sir Alexander Godley. Tho employees of Messrs. George and Kersley, Ltd., who are serving at tho Dardanelles, are being paid by "t,lie firm tho difference between their military pay and tho salary they were drawing at the timo tliev volunteered for service, and the soldiers' positions are being kept open until tlioir return.' It was stated at yesterday's conference of Acclimatisation Societies that it was farcical to attempt to preserve tho native pigeon, which was dying out. _ It was pointed out that in some districts tho Maoris were allowed to shoot pigeons indiscriminately, whilst others were prohibited from doing so. The Hobson Society's delegate stated that the Maoris occasionally held huis, before which they went into tho bush and slaughtered pigeons by tho thousand. Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp said they prosecuted Maoris in tho Wellington district as they would Europeans. He did not tliiuk pigeons should be shot at all. Mr. Elliott (Auckland) stated that lie' knew that the Maoris of tho north thought that under the Treaty of AVaitangi they were entitled to shoot pigeons whenever they liked. It was of the utmost importance .to the Dominion that it should bo known that there was not one law for the Maoris and another for white men. The camel at the Zoo is dead. The assumption is that the recent cold weather contributed in some measure to the loss. Tho camel's skeletonic framo is being prepared for museum purposes. Once a year tho shag conies up for trial before the Acclimatisation Society on a charge of being a suspiciousi character, unlawfully preying upon trout. AS the meeting of the society yesterday Mr. Edgar Stoad, of Christcmirch, appeared as counsel for the accused. Tlia shag had the virtue of being the natural enemy, of the trout, 'and without them the trout would increase in numbers and correspondingly decrease in size. Mr. Rutherford, for the prosecution, advocated the removal of the protection on black and white-throated shags, which ho said were so voracious that they had impoverished tho fishing in some of the rivers and streams m the North Island. This was affirmed by the conference. Jiu-jitsu is an interesting topic at present among the policemen of the city. Captain M'Lnggan, the expert in this special scicnce, has Jjeen holding classes during the week Tor the men in blue, and the cinulativo efforts of tho burly pupils have been interesting in more ways than one. The various "grips," "locks," and "throws" aro being practised and experimented with' assiduously. Evidence of this was given yesterday whon a prospective occupier of the police cell was escorted along one of the city streets by a policeman, who had his captive's arm pinioned in the most approved jiu-jitsu style. Commissioner Cullen,' wliohas taken ail interest for somo years in planting heather- seed on the slopes of Mounts Tongariro and Buapehu, reported at tho Acclimatisation Societies' Conference yesterday that in tho winter tho rabbits nibble the-heather right down to the ground. It appeared that when tho snow lay oil tho ground the heather was tho only food they could S®t) and it seemed to agree with them. Tho visit of four squadrons of Mounted llifles to Martinborough in the courso of a route, march on Tuesday was. an historic event for the inhabitants. and settlors, who wero most enthusiastic in their welcome. A pleasant little diversion in tho routine of tho proceedings is recorded. Just before reaching the township the scouts reported that two horse-women were approaching, and the officer commanding gave instructions that they wero to bo brought before him and questioned, a couple of troopers going out for tho purpose. The younp: ladies, who wore tho daughters of a well-known settler whoso wife is much esteemed for her hospitality, informed tho commander that they had como to meet the soldiers in order to conduct them to appointed fop their entertainment. Tho officer listened to their story in a very serious manner, but pointed out that their statements would have to bo verified, as tho travellers had 110 other passports. In the meantime they wero told that they must consider themselves under arrest, and they would havo to accompany tho troops_ into Martmborough. Tho young ladies accepted their position with remarkable goodwill, and rode into Martinborough under escort. On arrival there tho officers were speedily satislied that there, was no danger of any hostile acts being committed by the citizens, and the fair prisoners wero released."S.S. Kairaki. In a sinking condition; sprung leak off Greyinoutli; big sea running; both boats smashed, and - drowned. I don't think she will • Tho above message from the sea was picked up oil tho shore between Lyall Bay and Island Bay oil Tuesday afternoon. The message, which was contained in a curry-powder bottle, was apparently abruptly finished, and tho paper is "torn and it appears to have been at sea for some time. The niessago .has been carefully examined, and it is believed to bo quite genuine. The discovery is an interesting one, and it confirms the finding of the Court of'lnquiry into the loss of the .steamer Kairaki. The vessel left Wellington on September 24 for Greyinoutli, and was last seen by Captain Cowan, of the I'etone. at about 8.30 n.m. on September .25, oft Cape Foulwind. During tho succccding days wreckage was washed ashore, and subsequently the -wreck of the kai r ? k ' was located about three miles oft Point Elizabeth, in 72ft. of water. Tho introduction of "tho. bonnie purplo heather" that flourishes upon the banks and braes of Scotland as feed for grouse was among tho eai lj topics discussed at yesterday's commence of New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies. Police Commissioner J. len, a delegate, stated that the Tourist Department had planted an area of the National Park with heather seed with promising results, Mr. C. A. Wlutncy said he would donate .-Co for the purchase of seed, but another delegate salu that tho Tourist Department was prepared to supply seed to any society in need of it. A Sou tit Island delegate questioned the wisdom of introducing heather into New Zealand. If it wero established it would probably over-run our mountains, and being a very hardy plant would perhaps kill our own plants. It, was only of utility as feed lor grouse. Complaints are repeatedly being made that intending purchasers of motor-cars cannot obtain reasonable deliveries. The war has seriously congests shipping, this being tho main reason of delay. Arriving at the end of this month, however, are eight and four-cylinder Kings, Chevrolcts, and Detroiters. The Dominion Motor Vehicles, 65 Courtenay Place, and 'Vavy Slvoot aro controlling osoiits for. these liuet.—Adv^

Several spcakoi's at yesterday's conference of Acclimatisation Societies alleged lack of support from tho Bench in connection with proved breaches of the law. Mr. Edgar Stead (Christchurch) quoted -a case in which, the Canterbury society took action. It was awaro that poaching on a large scale was going on, and spent £90 in investigating it. "We caught them with, I think, 115 fish, averaging about 41b. in weight. And that had been going on for months. The men wero fined ss. each —five shillings for what it had cost £90 to prove!" Mr. Geo. Ellwood, the gifted young Christchurch 'cellist, who .was one of the Ellwood trio, has returned to Christchurch from Europe. _ Ho was one of the last of the English to leave Berlin after England had declared war. Iu the course of an interview ho said: "I was very lucky to get out when I did, for I learned afterwards that five or six hours after I got out of Berlin police visited all the flats and rooms occupied by English peoplo and rounded up all the men of military age. In October all tlio English women and tho children under 16 were allowed to leave, but the peoplo w'ho were there after that had to stay. All the Englishmen aro in tho internment camp at Ruhleben, just outside Berlin, where tliey aro quartered in the racing stables. One lady who got out of Berlin in October told me that nntil she left sho had to report to the police twice a day, and sho was not allowed to leave her district'without a pass. She was living in a suburb of Berlin and if she wanted to go into tho city sho had to obtain a passport from tho police. The English peoplo who had their own flats and had lived in them for somo years wero not collected until October, The police as a wliolo were not so very bad. The trouble was that when the German peoplo wero in crowds they became brutal. Of course, there were some nice people*. We would have been treated worse by the mob if there had not been a number of Americans • living in Berlin. Tho people had been warned not to molest Americans, and as the Americans speak English, too, tho people had to be more or less careful. The Germans all thought that America was going to take Germany's side in a very short time." In recommending further importations of Canadian geese, Mr. Edgar Stead stated, at yesterday's Acclimatisation Societies' Conference, that theso birds were going to do very well in Now Zealand. They bred quickly, and did very well on small private waters. They had now some 250 birds in Canterbury, and by distributing the young ones they were endeavouring to prevent in-breed-ing, but it was time a new strain was introduced. The suggestion was approved by the conference. Colonel A. N. Whitney suggested that tho waterhen would in New Zealand. A royalty on stoats and weasels in other than rabbit-infested districts should, in tho opinion of tho Acclimatisation Society, be paid by the Government. Speaking at tho meeting of tho society yesterday Mr. E. F. Stead, of Christchurch, said that in the region of the Port Hills one rarely examined the ground under a snag without finding larders of eggs of the tern and the white-crested gull, which the weasels had stored up. He said that, speaking for Canterbury, stoats and. weasels as a natural enemy to rabbits were utterly useless. ' \

The contractors wliom the Government are assisting to obtain the marble for the Parliament Buildings aro not the contractors for the erection of tie buildings, Messrs. Hansford, Mills, and Ilardie, but the company which is operating the quarry at Sandy Day. ■On Saturday evening Professor Hunter and Mr. W. H. L. Foster addressed a, meeting at Petone, with, a view to forming- a class in connection with the Workers' Educational Association. Fourteen students enrolled, and it was resolved to start a class in economics, which will be commenced nest Saturday evening, under the tutorship of -Professor Hunter. The class will meet at the Sydney-Street Schoolroom, Petone, at 8 p.m., and all those interested are-invited. We have to acknowledge the receipt of a handsome war souvenir issued by the proprietors of Usher's "Green Stripe" whisky, the souvenir taking the form of a framed photograph of Lord Kitchener, Admiral Jellicoe, and General French. '