"If War Game."

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 12 June 1914, Page 2

"If War Game."

A "You must either move on or move oIT !" This was the intimation conveyed to Turkey by the first shot in the Halkan war, and represented the demand of modern progress in the lethargic Turk-. This was a lesson particularly necessary for Australia to heed. In these terms ('apt. G. A. Taylor (Australian Intelligence Corps*) began a lecture recently on "if War Came : What the Balkan Battles Teach Australia." The aeroplane, said Capt. Taylor, proved itself a most eUlcient weapon of offence, and for reconnaissance purposes, and justified its inclusion iti every military .operation. The lecturer declared that Australia should note the following lessons from the Balkan war :—(1) Turkey, like Australia, presented the disadvantage of being attacked at various points. Turkey: attempted to deiY-nd all of them, instead of concentrating to deliver the enemy a crushing blow, as Australia would have to do, if war came; (2) the lesson that it is a serious disadvantage to be short of mounted troops, to follow up such advantages as

were presented at Lule Burgas, when, owing to the Turkish debacle, a dash on Constantinople would have been possible ; (3) the wonderful advantages of aerial attack and reconnaissance presented, by the aeroplane. To Australia, particularly, should the "aeroplane appeal. Today two aeroplanes are in Sydney. A station will lie established shortly. It is hoped that at least six stations will be established at once, each equipped with six aeroplanes, spares, and constructing- sheds «i.t i Port Darwin, Thursday Island, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and I'remantle ; (1) the necessity for good i roads. The Turk was handicapped ,by the bad, unmetalled roads seriously delaying the supplies of food, ammunition, and, above all, army reinforcements. Tn Australia there iis an institute, which, he had the

honour of founding, the Local Government Engineers of Australasia. It comprises the men who build the roads (when money is available), and these men of the institute are not only making the roads, but also supplying the intelligence corps with topographical maps of the country those roads traverse. It has sent a representative to the International Roads Congress, at Paris, to study road-building for Australia ; (5) the lesson that railways should be kept up to date, and lines built for strategical purposes. Turkey had long- proposed to duplicate her main line, and connect it with a direct line to the Sea of Marmora, for Asiatic reinforcements. She didn't bother. There is a line that is wanted in Australia, and would be wanted badly if war came.

A little girl had been the pet of the family. Everyone made much of her, but when there was a new little baby brother she felt rather neglected. " ITow are you, Mary ?" a visitor asked of her one afternoon. "Oh, I'm all right," she said, "except that I think there is too much competition, in this world." The milky way isn't a way and it isn't milky ?