STRIKING REVIEW OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2659, 3 January 1916, Page 5

STRIKING REVIEW OF THE WAR

BY LORD SYDENHAM ' ALLIES FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH . CONFIDENCE By Teleeraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. January 2, 10.30 a.m.) London, December 81. Lord Sydenham, who is recognised as one of the world's greatest military authorities! granted the Australian Press Association an interview. Reviewing the situation, he said: "The year has ended in shadow. It has brought many sacrifices without visible successes which might seeni to offer adequate compensation. The conquest .of Gorman colonies, m which Australia and New Zealand played an important part, is tho only counter-stroke on the sido of the Allies to the enemy's territorial gains in Poland and the Near East. We have withdrawn a groat part of tho Imperial troops from Gallipoli; at Salonika we are on the defence awaiting an attack, while a further effort against Suez may be impending. Wo met'with a reverse on tho Tigris, and nowhere can be seen the near prospect of a decisivo military advantage. If wo contemplate the past events in detail, there may appear to be grounds for pessimism, but in a war of this gigantic scale it is essential to view tho situation as a whole. i "The year 1797 ended in the deepest gloom for our forefathers. Tho great naval, battles of Capo Vincent and Camperdown had been won, but there were acute internal dissensions and almost intolerable public burdens. The ■■ Bank of England had suspended cash payments, and when the mutinies at Spithead and the Nore broke out all hopes of victory might have seemed lost. AVe may well consider these facts now. i "The real crisis was, passed in Septomber, in 1914, when the German plan of campaign was wrecked and Paris saved. ,The wonderful preparedness of tho onemy, and his instant perception of the new needs told heavily against tho Allies who are only now beginning to attain the ascendancy of material, which superior forces will enable them to establish and maintain. Foiled in tho west, tho Central Powers struck wildly eastwards, but were finally brought to a standstill by the splendid tenacity of Russia. Territory and fortresses were abandoned, but the enemy failed to take Riga and nnist bear tho rigours of a Polish winter, with tho unceasing menace of Russia's masses growing more formidable as armaments increase. The enemy is now held fast on the Eastern and Western fronts, and his power of offensive appears to depend on tho subsidised Turks and Bulgars. "Meanwhile, the eager efforts of tho Germans have failed to destroy the unity of the Allies, who, with gathering strength and stern determination,, await the coming of spring. The economic pressure exercised by the Navy is beginning to tell, and tho enemy's internal situation is gradually becoming more acute. Winter is on the side of the Allies who face the. future without any misgiving. "For Australia and New Zealand 1915 will always be associated with glorious memories. Their troops have shown 4 gallantry and. endurance unsurpassed in the history of war. If victory has been denied them at Gallipoli, they win ,undying fame. They have given enduring examples of devoted sac- • rifices from which the whole Empire draws hope and inspiration. "France is showing all the great , qualities which built up her finest traditions. . "Russia has stemmed the fierce onslaughts of the Austrians and Germans with indomitable spirit, and is silently developing her unrivalled resources and her splendid manhood. "Italy is fighting bravely. "Our warlike, but unmilitary, Empire is solidly united in the face of the common peril, raising and training citizens by the million. "Above all stands the Navy, firmly holding the seas of the world, far more powerful than when the war began. "Such are the conditions under which the Allies confront the New Year with calm confidence." " FRANKFURTER ZEITUNG" REVIEWS THE WAR "WE STAND VICTORIOUS FROM ARRAS TO BAGDAD." ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)! (Rec. January I', ,7.5 p.m.) London, December 31'. i The "Frankfurter Zeitung" gives the first German review of the whole war. It admits that Germany's intentions as regards France have not been fulfilled. The Russian campaign has broken off beyond the Poland fortress and in tho area east of Vilna, and claims it as a glorious victory, but admits tho truth of Clausewitz's dictum that it is impossible to effect the conquest of Russia.. The battle on the West front, beginning in October, was the greatest a defensive battle in history. The Balkan campaign joins us up with Bulgaria and Turkey, separating Russia from the Western Powers, finally solv- , ing the Balkan question. Tho enemies' war, under England's leadership, has 1 been conducted with a far-reaching polioy. England had collected a mighty coalition and held the Balkans in suspense; tnwight in Italy, and involvecTthe United States in the gravest conflict with tho Central Powers; but she has not succeeded in the battlefield. . Realising the impossibility of forcing the lines on tho West, she- decided to force the Dardanelles. The plan was good, but the execution wretched. It might have succeeded if immediately Turkey intervened England forced the Dardanelles with large forces, but Turkey's rapid advance on the Suez Canal deceived and terrified the English. Turkey gained, under German advice, time which ma.de the undertaking hopeless in the Dardanelles. The attempt was made with too weak forces. The land attack was not comprehensive enough. London then hoped to involve the Balkans, but had not the courage to withdraw her troops,, thus admitting defeat; now the withdrawal has taken place under Turkish fire. The same game will be repeated in Macedonia where a difficult campaign with inadequate resources will end in miserable failure. It is being continued at Sranco's demand. "We have broken the spell King Edward laid on us, and stand victorious from Arras to Bagdad."