PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2652, 24 December 1915, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Measured by tho tone 'of the speeches delivered, the debate in the Houso of Commons on the vote for a million men—bringing the total authorised strength of the Army to four millions—'would indicate a serious division of counsels and the existence of acute hostility to the Imperial Government. Ihc actual position seems to be that a little band of members, chiefly the small fry of Parliament, seized the opportunity to earn a certain amount of notoriety by expressing opinions which neither representative nor deserving of very much attention. The debate was carried through under stonewall conditions, with a thin House and occasional calls for a quorum. Very different conditions would have obtained had the running fire of criticism and accusation to which tho Government was subjected been backed by any considerable section of the House. As it proved, tho total achievement of the malcontents who exerted Shemsclves so noisily was to delay for 14 hours the passage of a vote which ultimately was carried on the voices. A division would _ doubtless have betrayed, the insignificancc of the opposition. _In other countries at war splenetic exhibitions' of this character are Habitually discouraged, and if necessary suppressed. Their toleration in Britain may do a certain amount of harm by confusing opinion abroad, but otherwise! they are nothing more than symptoms of minor imperfections in tho British political system.

Bomb . very rash things have been said in the Imperial Parliament lately,on the subject of national service, and sweeping condemnation of the principle of compulsion has unfortunately not been confined to tho minor malcontents of the House of Commons, but has found an exponent in Me. John Redmond. The conclusion nevertheless seems irrosistible that a liifiited application of the compulsory principle may prove to be the logical corollary of the policy to which the British Government stands definitely committed. It is stated in one message to-day that in order to fulfil the Prime Minister's pledgo to married men— that they would not be called upon wjiilc eligible single men remained available—the Government may have to take further powers. The implication is that compulsion may prove to be the only method of inducing a proportion of the eligible single men to enlist. To say in these circumstances, as Me. Redmond has said,that the moral effect of Lord Derby's scheme would be destroyed _ by the compulsion of any section is something less than reasonable. _ Mr* Redmond says there are no shirkers. In that case, of course, there will be no compulsion, but the suggestion at flie moment is that the splendid response of the nation's manhood to the voluntary call is marred by the refusal of a proportion of the unencumbered single men to take-up their share of the common burden. No moral effect will be destroyed by bringing pressure to bear upon men of this type, but a very great wrong would be done if they were not subjected to pressure. Recognition of these facts is the foundation of Me. Asquith's pledge, and there is every reason for satisfaction in the present indications that compulsion is inevitable unless the voluntary response of all sections of eligible men makes it unnecessary, and that if the Imperial Government does resort to compulsion it will have the support of the majority of the members of tho House and the people. This is only to say that the true merits of the position are clearly and widely recognised.

,The success won by the Frcnch in Southern Alsace, which was briefly reported yesterday, proves on fuller information to be entitled to an important place in the series of sharp local defeats which the Germans have lately suffered in the main theatres. The French attacked and captured a ridge cast of the commanding summit of Hartmannsweilerkopf, which looks across the Alsatian Plain towards Mulhansen, and considerably improved their positions. Something has yet to be told about the . extent of ground gained, but the fact that 1221 prisoners were taken is a sufficient proof that the enemy positions captured were extensivo and important. The enemy'has, put forth unsparing efforts to stay the progress of the French in Alsace, but in spite of all the latter havp established themselves in positions favouring an ultimate advance to the Rhine. It is these positions which have now been considerably improved, and it may be taken for granted that the enemy did everything in his power to prevent the improvement.

The name of Sir Charles Monro is familiar to all New Zealanders as that of the officer who so skilfully controlled the. late withdrawal from Gallipoli, and the opinion will be widespread that he is worthily entitled to the honour conferred upon him in being appointed to succeed Sir Douglas Haig in command of the First British Army in the Western theatre. General Monro's rise to this important command has been mfcteoric, and his career since the war began affords striking evidence that merit and. ability are controlling factors in the allocation 'of the higher commands. Going out to Flanders at the outbreak of hostilities in command of a Territorial division he passed by rapid transitions to the command of a Regular division and of an army corps, his promotion being earned by the leadorlike qualities lie so signally displayed. His brief but important period of control in the Near East has now been followed by his appointment to one of the most imgortant commands in the gift of the ritish Government, less than sixteen months from the time when he was promoted from the command of a, Territorial division. The standing of the officer appointed to succeed Sir Charles Monro is a sufficient indication that the importance of the Near Eastern campaign is regarded as having in no" way diminished. Taking up the Near Eastern command, Sir Archibald Murray vacates the post of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

A late, message states that the Germans have recovered portion of tho ground captured in the French assault, but it seems that the defeat they suffered has been only in part retrieved.

Theke is not, at time of writing, any definite confirmation of the report that the Russians have captured tho Bulgarian port of Varna, though an Athens report to-day follows those published yesterday to the extent of stating that the place was heavily bombarded bv a Russian fleiit for a whulu day,* the forts „&»d bftwacfo Matt destroyed, Raw*,.

from the Balkan theatre in general i is meagre and the implied tighten- 1 ing of the censorship, together wit the fact that the army withdrawn from Gallipoli is now available for other-service, makes it not unlikely that important developments are in train. It is a necessity imposed 1. the conditions in which the Allies are placed that offensive action, if taken at all, should be taken simultaneously byall the forces'available. The enemy is now. threatened certainly by two distinct Allied forccs —the (Serbs and their Allies in A! bania and Montenegro, and the Anglo-French at Salonika—and probably by three, the third force being, of course, the Russians. Taking the offensive simultaneously the Allies will compel the enemy to divide his forces. Attacking individually they would forfeit this advantage and play into the enemy's hands, and it may be taken for granted that they, will adopt no such policy.

An Athens report, which was published as late news yesterday, affords gratifying proof, if it is true, that the Turks have not yet succeeded in closing the Dardanelles to British submarines. s The report states that a German steamer and other craft have been sunk in the Sea of Marmora.

A remarkable confession is attributed to Major Morahti tho wellknown military critic of the Berliner I'ageblatt—nothing less than that Germany is no' longer fighting for victory in the war, but only for an inconclusive peace. It is impossible to interpret otherwise the remarks •in tho course of which the German writer admits that his countrymen have "abandoned all illusions," and expresses no more ambitious hope than that Great Britain would realiso the impossibility of crushing her enemy. The validity of-the interpretation is putbeyond doubt by-.Major Moraht's further statement: "The present agony, is of mse to no one." Regarding the war from the standpoint, of the Entente, there is nothing new or novel in the idea that Germany has been brought practically to a standstill, and 'that the remaining problem is to 'develop such an attack as will bring her to complete' and crushing defeat; it is in this belief that Britain and ber Allies -are extending themselves in preparations for a supreme effort to win decisive victory! But to find such a view not admitted only, but emphasised by an enemy critic of. standing, affords cause for wonder. Considering the,iron-fisted hold that Germany habitually maintains over her Press, the publication of such a damaging confession is extraordinary. It suggests that- the German war lords are basing their hopes for the future not upon military action, but upon working. up a peacemovement in neutral countries and at the same time preparing public opinion in Germany to regard such a movement with favour. It need only bo added that on visible evidence any such movement—a movement in favour of an inconclusive peace—is doomed at its inception. An inconclusive peace would'be possible only in the event of a drawn war, and the war is not drawn. The Allies have given satisfactory proofs of their determination, and the present position is that they are facing in superior and. rising strength'an enemy whose strength is already declining from its point of maximum development, or very soon will be.

The arguments with which Major 'Moraht supports his contention that the Allies. are doomed to an indefinite continuance of a war of exhaustion, without hope of decisively crushing their enemy, will not bear examination. All that need be conceded in regard to what he has advanced is that complete or partial failure in the great offensive for which the Allies are maturing preparations would entail a prolongation of the_ war, and a continued strain which would intensify the- danger of an inconclusive result. Only by ignoring the facts, however, can it be said that the Allies are without hope of winning a decisive victory within a comparatively limited period. The Allied blow, which will put the question to the test, has yet to fall, and however necessary it may be for tho Germans to hope that it will fail there is ample justification for anticipating a happier result. 'It is only necessary to fill in the obvious gaps in Major Moraht's statement-, of the position t-o see that the hope of a crowning 'Allied victory rests upon strong, and stable foundations. Admitting that Britain has created an army larger and better than German militarists had foreseen, he declares th.'ifc France, like Germany, is forced by her losses to put water into her w'ine—in other words, to fall back on inferior reserves. The actual position in regard to French reserves is not known, but it may be admitted that France has very probably closely approached the zenith of her military-, strength. But the appearance _of powerful British armies building up, tho Allied strength in the Western theatre is not the only menace by which Germany is faced. Major Moraht, as he is reported, had nothing to say about Russia, but Russia as well as Great Britain is far from being under the necessity .of falling, back upon inferior reserves. Tho "additional forces Russia will throw into the scale in the grand offensive are to be reckoned in millions, and consist of men of effective age, and millions of men as good are available to supplement them if the war should bo prolonged. In their public announcements the Germans habitually claim that they have achieved such a measure of success in the Russian _ campaign as practically puts Russia out of the fight, but tho truth is that Russia is undefeated, and 'in a condition to continue the struggle in vastly increased strength. Taking this fact in conjunction-with what Major Moraht has admitted about the formidable strength of the British forces and considering also the serious economic disadvantage at which Germany is placed by reason of the Allied domination of the sea. it is very plain that his plea for' a drawn war and an inconclusive peace has very poor prospects of commanding a hearing.'

A possible hint as to the duration of the war anticipated by tho Imperial Government is contained in a statement made by the Undei'-Secrc-tary for War, in tho House of ComFor every man in tho field," ho said, there should be 1.8 men in reserve, the vato of monthly reinforcement being 15 per cent. This implies thai provision is being made for another twelve _ months' campaign. The possibility remains, of course, that_ a further call may be made for reinforcements beyond tho number indicated, but there is no reasqn to doubt that hopes are entertained of ending tho war in the year .ftbwt in ojQfjn.

The election comedy in Greece has been played out, and has culminated, as it was bound to, in a farcical situation. M. Venizelos, the ablest and most popular leader in the country, stoocl aloof from the so-called contest, and his appeal to the people and his example was followed by two-thirds of the electors. It is in these circumstances that M. Skouloudis has arisen to prove to his own satisfaction perhaps, but not to that of any dispassionate observer. that Greece has "played the game.' Hitherto M. Skouloudis has figured as the unconstitutional leader of a minority Government. He now occupies the even more questionable position of head of a Government which has retained office by; making a fair edition impossible. Prom a politician with this record a sincere and hoaest presentation -A facts is not to ie expected, and M. Skouloudis has produced, instead just such a sample of disingenuous special pleading as is to be expected from the pliant tool of an unconstitutional autocrat." His leading contentions are that in the days before Bulgaria entered the war the Allies coquetted witTi that country and flouted and angered Greece, and even demanded that Greece should'cede portion of -Macedonia. including Kavala and Seres, to her hereditary enemy. He complains that Greece was warned that nor troops would not be allowed to approach Constantinople, and still more bitterly about the action of the Allies in imposing an embargo on Greek commerce, and bringing the country within an-ace of starvation. If M. Skouloudis were right in his facts he would have made out a very strong case, but it is now a matter of common knowledge that x the actual facts are ver-y far from beingas ho has stated them. The truth is that Greece twice dishonoured binding obligations; in the first instance, by witholding aid she had • promised at the Dardanelles, and in the second by_ leaving Serbia unaided to mee£ the simultaneous attack of the Austro-Germans and Bulgarians. The blockade measures of which M. Skouloudis complains were taken by the Allies to prevent Greece committing new acts of treason and need no defence. As to the negotiations preceding Bulgarian _ intervention, • the proposed concession of Greek and Serbian territory to Bulgaria was no more than had been proposed much earlier by 1 M. Venizelos, who■ is tho- trusted 1 leader of the Greek people, and would be in power to-day but for the act of usurpation which has upset the constitution, and for the • time being blotted out Greek popu- ' lar liberties. The remarks about 1 Constantinople have been introduced • by M. Skouloudis merely for effect. It is known to all the world that at an early stage of the war .Russia's claims to Constantinople were re- ■ cognised by her Allies, and Greece I has no shadow of title to contest ! theso claims. I.** . * «

M. Skouloudis intends to retire from the Premiership in favour of M. GounariSi another minority, leader,_ and his review of the.position is evidently intended as a valedictory utterance. On the facts as they appear he ■would have better consulted his ..dignity by observing silence. It is the .whole truth about Greece that she has been led into devious and dishonourable courses bv her Kino and a coterie of politicians who hayo. aided and abetted him in suppressing the true will of the people as expressed in the policy of M. Venizelos. The position is "not altered by : fins phrases about the blundering, highhanded, and haugTfty ways of the Allies, and if Greece emerges safelv from her present difficulties and perils it will 'be for the reason that the Allies and the Vcnizelists between them have made impossible'a full development of the designs of the King and the party at present in' office.

Exceedingly hot weather was experienced in Christcburch last week. The local papers stated that Wednesday was the hottest day experienced in that city for seven years. The thermometer registered 91.5 degrees, the highest recorded since January 29, 190S, when 95.3 degrees 'were registered. A light wind blew from the east during the morning, but in the afternoon it changed to a nor'-west breeze. A nor'-wester also prevailed at AshbUrton all day, where the thermometer registered 91 degrees. Many of the people in Cbristchurch found the heat quite overpowering, de. spite the efforts made to obtain comfort by reduced clothing. Sea-side're-sorts where bathing facilities were to Dei enjoyed formed a popular rendezvous during the day, and the tepid baths in the city, were'in great demand through, out the afternoon and evening. At the annual meeting of the Furniture Trades' Union it was reported that the membership of the union was 469, as against 445 at the beginning of the year. Officers were elected as follow:—: President, Mr. G. F. Aers; vice-presi-dent, Mr. D. R. Kennedy; secretary, Mr. D. Moriarty; treasurer, Mr. H, Smith; Management Committee, Messrs. J A. Leahv, E. E. Swindell, J. Ferguson, G. F. James, D. J. Thomson; audi, tcr, Mr. G. H. Win ton.

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