PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2565, 13 September 1915, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

It is too soon to accept _ current accounts of tlio general situation in the Eastern campaign as final and conclusive in their bearing upon tlio possible limits of the Austi'oGernian invasion. Allowance must still be made for tho- possibility that the enemy may contrive to throw additional forces into a theatre where they have so much afc stake and so impart new momentum to'an offensjvsiti which t>he,v liitve lately shown distinct siaas of slackening, .Of

such renewed efforts, however, there is no sign at time of writing, luo Russians have developed their victory in Eastern Galicia, find, news in hand gives no clcav indication of any material advancc \>y the AustroGermans in any other part of the Eastern theatre, though in several localities the contending armies are heavily eugaged a-nd have been more or less continuously for weeks. On the Western front several local attacks by the Germans are reported, none of which achieved more than temporary success. The most important of these local battles was- an attack on the summit of Hartmaiinsweilerkopf—a once little-known but now world-famous, eminence _ which dominates the Alsatian Plain, west of Mulhausen. The Germans successfully stormed the summit on Thursday evening, but it was retaken by, the French during, the night. The roost important news of the Italian campaign'-is a Rome report stating that the Austrians are yielding Before the Italian advance on the Carso Plateau, a tract of'hilly countryconstituting the principal barrier' against an advance, by way of the coast, upon Trieste, from which place the Italians following. tho coast-route are only about ten miles distant. » * * *

The continued absence of any official reference to the extension of the British front in tho Western theatre means only that a certain amount of doubt is g cast upon the unofficial reports, which declared that the ex-tension-had been, effected. The only fact which can be. taken hold of with absolute confidence in this connection is that a new and powerful British Army will play a prominent part in the ensuing passages of the war. silence on the subject may mean either that the new Arnly is reserved in part for some other tbeatre of operation's than the present line of oontact in- France andj Flanders, or that the authorities hope to keep the enemy'more'or less in the dark as to the pi'ecise extent to which tho Western front has been rcinforbed. Such concealment would hot be easy in any case, but it would bo facilitated to an extent if it is true, as has been reported, fchftt British guns have replaced or reinforced French battei'ies oh some sections of the front not occupied by British trodps. :

Wheee the .Eastern > campaign is concerned the broad indications today are of-a rising power and vigour in the Russian .resistance to which the'Austro-Germatns have not yet been able to make any ad<» quate retort. Details in hand are in the main consistent., with the statement in a Petrograd communique that , initiative in the isolated engagements which have, lately been the rule is gradually passing into Russian hands. The comparative rarity of such,in Russian' official communiques (which ag a rule are curt and severely matter-of-fact) perhaps makes this one a-lKtho more worthy of credence. , The same considerations apply- to the' remark that in general -the Russian armies are calmly confident, of themselves. Of this indeed they' have lately, given convincing proof on more than one battlefield. While several enemy reports more or less openly admit the Russian victory in Eastern Ga-licia-, it is denied by implication in a Berlin message which spoaks of the German counterattack penetrating to a place-east of' Tarnopol. This must be regarded, as a geographical error or incorrect cabling. If \the Germans had captured Tai-jiapol they would havo let tie world know about it, for it is a railway junction of some importance. The true position is 110 doubt pictured in the Russian messages and in, an. Austiian report which speaks of violent. fighting westward of the Sereth, the. Galician river .upon which Tarnapol stands and from which the Russians launched their successful attack. The Russians admit that they had to rei tire, to the neighbourhood of TarnaI pol (not east of it) after heavily defeating the Germans in that locality. It-is further south th&t they are developing their initial fiuccoss,. and have captured some- thousands of prisoners in addition to those' reported on Saturday.

While the Austro-Germans ha-ve thus encountered a decided local setback in Eastern Galicia ; there is nothing to show' (at time of • writing) that they are making pronounced headway in any part of the Eastern theatre. No success is claimed'by the enemy which can at all comparc with. the recent achievements of the Russians in Galicia. As regards the Baltic Provinces the Rucsians even claim to have taken'the offensive and to'-be advancing ,on tho south bank of the Dwina, the Tiver wliioh approaches Riga from the south-east. . Twenty miles east of Grodno (at Skidel), and south-east of that place, the Russians also lay claim, not to a successful offensive, but to a highly successful dcfence. They .declare that in both areas -they repelled enemy - attacks Which were three times repeated and each time backed by a more powerful artillery train. The Germans report the capture of Skidel, and lay claim in vaguer 'terms to some progress southcast of Skidel and also m the Baltic Provinces, but their reports emphasise the difficulty Experienced in breaking down the Russian resistance.

One section of the, German advance deserves attention though it 15 not touched upon in available Russian messages. General von Mackensen is reported to be advancing on bobh sides of the railway which runs east from Brest Litowsk to Pinsk, a hundred milfis away. This commandor, whose movements have of late been somewhat uncertainly reported, is thus shown'to be engaged upon an attenipt to piei'ce the Russian line about two-thirds of the way down its length from tho north. The peculiar feature of General von Mackensen's march' is that it strikes into the heart of the Pripet marshes, a wide tract of waterlogged country which extends eastward about three hundred miles from Brest-Litowsk-(about 200 miles beyond' Pinsk, named as von Maok6nsen's immediate objective). The Pripet marshea do not lack means .. of communication—the ' map. • shows an attenuated network of roads, railways and canals—but iliey constitute just such an area as is calculated to oppose the maximum difficulties to the advance of a German a-rmy encumbered with heavy transport and op.posed by defending forces comparatively at homo in the marshlands.

If the reported utterances of M. lladislavoff (Prime Minister of Bulgaria) accurately reflect his own sentiments, and those;of his countrymen, there is reason to bo glad that Bulgaria is a little country not exactly fitted to take a. leading part in international politics, though circumstances at'present, aivt it special jyomiaeaw La tow arcfta, It

is now reported that the agreement between Turkey and Bulgaria regarding tlie Dcdeagatch railway concession is to bo signed to-day, and will take effect a week hence, but according to a German newspaper, the Vossiche Zeitung, M. Radislavoff has declared that Bulgaria accepts no' obligations in return for tho Turkish concession which must be regarded' as an indemnity foilier neutrality hitherto. To say. tho least this suggests a spirit of coldblooded commercialism jiiich as is not often allowed to visibly obtrude in dealings between nation and nation, but perhaps the attitude of the Bulgarian Prime Minister is dominated and. dictated by a desire to remain comfortably astride the fence ready to jump down on either side as circumstances may demand.

. StoeieS that a German-attack on •Serbia is imminent and that Austria has closed neighbouring frontiers to conceal the movements of troops, are not markedly different from similar stories transmitted., weeks ago which.have so far failed to materialise. The essential difference between tho situation when the former stories came through and the situation to-day is that tho Russians in tho intervening period have considerably improved their , position in the main Eastern Campaign. It may be added that the Italians, a-lsd, have .continued to press forward in the slowdeveloping invasion whioh has hitherto defied all the efforts of the Austrians to bring it to a halt. And thero is always the _ prospect of a Western offensive which may or may hot lie delayed, but against which the Germans ai'e bound to make provision. It will be impossible to finally set aside predictions of an Austro-German invasion of the Balkans until victory has been won at tho Dardanelles or the. Balkan League has been reconstituted in alliance with the But available information makes\ it improbable that the Austro-Germans aro in a position to attempt anything; of the kind. Ability to launoh such an enterprise would imply that they had considerable forces in reserve, whereas in fact the present state of affairs in Russia, Galicia,- and Austria very strongly-suggests that the Germans and the Austrians could profitably employ more men (and equipment) in these dreas than they actually have at command. ■■ * * * *

The ohly important; flows regarding the campaign against Turkey which has arrived at time of writing relates to a naval and air bombardment of the Smyrna fortifications and of military camps at Aivili, • about midway between Smyrna and the Dardanelles. Satisfactory accounts are given of , the damage done by the aircraft and destroyer flotillas which took part, but the purpose of the attacks .'is naturally not speoified. It is conceivable that they, may have been feints, intended to cover an Italian landing or to unsettle, the, Turkish defence and pave; the way for such a'landing. v * » • *

Evidently some cross-currents exist in Americain connection with the later developments of the German submarine piracy,, but the broad trend seems to bo running on -normal lines, and may be summed up as an apparent evaporation of tension. One correspondent indeed reports that' President Wilson has it in mind to convene a special session of Congress (whioh has the last word on the question of peace or war),' but -this lacks confirmation; and other reports ''declare that the United States, is likely to agree to refer its Arabic grievances to the Hague. This although Gei'nlany makes it a condition precedent_tp such a rcfereric6 that the question of the geMral permissibility of submarine warfare under international law shall . not. be raised. That is to say/ Germany proposes to absolutely limit the -Haguo Tribunal to the functions of a court of compensation, and America is / apparently willing to consider the'offer.

. The announcement that a FrenchParliamentarian intends to introduce a Bill providing that a force of 700,000 black soldiers shall be raised in the various French colonial. possessions will .afford a new opening for German satirists who delight to dwell upon the ' cosmo-, politan and multi-coloured character Of the Allied armies* ' There was a'time when the question thus raised ' would liavo wen regarded as open, but to-day Britain and France aro able to point to the fact that the brown and black men who are fighting so valiantly. for them are not brave soldiers only but men innocent of the dark crimes which have eternally blackened the name of the German'? army; It is Germany's peculiar distinction to have at ortce failed to the respect and confidence of a singlo dark-skinned raeo and to invented - methods of warfare as vile as those of the crudest savages:

Another example of German quality is given in'the description of a body of Russian' prisoners exchanged for 'Germans who had been Well treated and. properly cared for in Russia. The Russians on the contrary boro traces of treatment so vile that Eoffle of them seem to have scarcely retained tho scmblancc of humanity. If tho German conscience is anything but a myth such infamies as this will weigh it down for centuries to come. Even Tur\key, -on available information, stands in bright and honourable contrast to. her principal ally where her treatment of prisoners is concerned. '

At an inquest, held at Napier on Saturday, 011 the death' of .a, ohild, the toother of wliick'had been attended by a midwife who had Conducted 110 cases for the last 10 years, the Coroner (states at Napier correspondent) commented on the fact that tlie law did not compel the employment of registered midwives.

The business, of the Magistrate's Court 011 Saturday morning was concerned with various charges of insobriety. Peter Mulcalyy, an old offender, was sentenced to a month's imprisonment, and Albert Leys, William Brewe, James Moderate, Timothy Keating, and John Hyde wero each fined 105.,' in default 48 liours' gaol. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., was the Magistrate.

Owing to a curious set of circumstances, somo difficulty was experienced ill getting medical assistance for the Maori boy, Pomere I'areata. who accidentally shot himself at Twyford on Friday, subsequently '.lying from a bullet wound 111 the head. The man who was first dispatched to Hastings for medical assistance mounted a horse, which fell dead under him. His place was promptly takeu by a cyclist, but he had not proceoded far when his tyre was badly punctured. Tlie third messenger got through with tlie news. ' Mr. W.-J. Hanna, of the telegraph Department, Napier, leaves morning for Wellington; where he intends to spend llis annual leave.

An appeal is-being made to the whole of the Highland, Scottish, and Caledonian Societies in. New Zealand, to unite 'their forces and make a general request to the ; Government that a "Kilties" regiment be called up. Discussing the matter with a reporter of tho "Ashburton Guardian" (states a Press Association message); . Sir. D. M'Laren, of Wellington, said that an appeal was being made to all "brither Scots" throughout-the Dominion, with the full-confidence that the movement would have their unanimous support.

In February, 1914; Mr- S. L. King, together with two Government guides, Thomson and, Richmond, , were killed while making an ascent of Mount Cook. By last mail Mr. B. M; 'Wilson, Gefieral Manager jof the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, received a letter from Mr. King's brother, stating tlmt he had handed ,to the_ High Commissioner for New Zealand in London a cheque for £200 for the purpose of making some' provision for tho families of the two guides. ...Tho money is to bo'handed to the Public Trustee at "Wellington, for him _to administer m such manner as ho thinks^fit. Chaplain Captain Thomas Taylor, who wont away. with the Canterbury Battalion (Main Body), and was afterwards transferred to the Auckland Battalion, is described by the Tahiti's wounded as a iuan amongst men <it tlie front. Hon* he escaped a . shattered; thigh is described by Private H. A. Condon, of the Atckland. Batt-ilioti. He was standing in a trench one day when a sniper s bullet • struck him on the hip pocket. Ordinarily this rear receptacle would offer small resistance to a- busy Manser bullet, hut at that moment there happened to be three, sovereigns -lying against one another, and the - millet struck them. The first one was cut in half, the second had about a third nicked off, whilst the third was hollowed out like a saucer., The bullet was found in the pocket with tho sadly defaced gold coins of the realm . New Zealand folk- are sometimes apt' to grumble at the. paucity of the war news thit-is allowed to filter tho cables to the Press, of this county but they are fortunate compared witli the position of our forces m tho trenches and in E ? ypt, Thoso soldiers arriving by the TaTuti on Saturday had "eard comparatively little news on tho voyage out, and whilst laid iJP.m tlic hospitals ill Cairo and Alexandria, the, were, told nest to nothing thc progress of the campaign « which they had .actually been employed. Tins s explainable in-the fact a hi" Turko-Arabic elemental kgjpt, who "may use any* information gained to the detriment of the Allifcs- A voij strict censorship of news fromGallipoli is therefore necessarj Where the business of the invalided soldier is to get better as soon as he can—only that, arid nothng more..None, of the men oil the Tahiti knew of Colonel Baucbop'i death, nntil the eteamer-arrived on Saturday. kmag the first on hoard the Tahiti' as she lay in the stream _at 7.a.m.0n Saturday were the Records Office_ staff under Captain. P. - Skelly, Assistant Adjutant-General Their duty was to note and check the record of every returned soldier on the troopship, they were kept hard at it the whol day. Thanks to a good system, splendid -work was done. During the forenoon tlie Minister of. Defiance (Hon. James Allen), accompanied to to Hong. A. L. Herdman. and G. • Kvis - ell ». Btigadier-G-enercil A. ' W." peon-General, Henderson, LieutenantColonel Pilkuiston, _ and Mr. • G. Tap! (of tho War Pensions ■' Office), the troopsliip in tho harboun reton^iK at 11 am. to the wharf. The medical staff was also engaged greater part of the day examining each man for ■ record purposes. scene at the-whaif on aJJoL op _ Leaving Bombay Harbour. !tto troop shiD is the Pahtnna; No. 13.. bo tar no thing remarkable. It is at tho imprint- and find out thi "printed m. Bavaria" begins, both as to subject and Oligm. Street, Wellington, a week ao-o post-cards were on salo with beautiful' English verses 'from a- iliomer ( encouragmg her son to fight tho; enemy, while the back of the cards were the words; "Printed in Germanj. . Mr. Henry £. Wte,. the Wellington architect has been commissioned to prepare plans for a new picture theatre for Mr. Fred Hall, of (iisborne. > The new theatre, which will bo planned on mndern lines,' will have a seating, cap2t "of between, 1200 and 1300 accommodated on the ground floor and dress circle. There will also be a, small stage, so that the theatre may serve for concerts or meetings. The theatre,-which, will be constructed of bnck and steel, will have a frontage of 66ft. to GladV stone Road,' next to Archibald Clark and Co.'s. warehouse, the most central position in Gisborne. Thore 'will bo two large shops in front, and over ' them commodious oafo premises. There was more) than one happy family reunion round the iea-tables in the Town Hall- on Saturday afternoon, when, the Tahiti's wounded were entertained and welcomed. Quo notable family gathering was that of Mr. and Mrs. H, J. Barnard, of Elthani, who had come to Wellington to meet their soil, Private James Barnard, of the Wellington Mounted Rides (Main Body), who has returned with a smashed collarbone, ' the. result of a. smart action in the open at Qaba Tepe. Mr. Barnard, sonior, (who is tho -secretary of the Elthani Dairy Company), recently lost one of his sons: at the front, and another is still there. Without counting the wounded man, two other sons are wearing khaki in camp in New Zealand, making five altogether .who are offering all' to the Empire. Mr. Bnriiard, who is well known in Wellington, was personally complimented by tho Hon. James Allen (Minister of Defence)" and tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Liike) on the gallant showing his sons wero making. . /