THE GERMAN ADVANCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1291, 1 September 1914, Page 4

THE GERMAN ADVANCE.

WHAT IT REALLY AMOUNTS TO

1 hose timid people who are alarmed at the German progress across Belgium will perhaps be reassured by one or two homely illustrations which may help them better to understand the position. In the first place, they must picture Belgium as being only about threetourths the size of Canterbury. Next, beyond these plains, towards the West Coast, let them imagine France, which it is the object of the German army to invade and overrun. To cross the irontier in one direction (namely, from their own country, in Alsace-Lorraine), they have to fight their way through mountain passes, the sides of the hills being covered with forests, only to find themselves confronted with some of the most formidable fortresses in the world. Taking the easier route, through Belgium, before they can cross the frontier, they have to traverse country not so difficult as the way through" the Vosges, hut still very broken country, thickly' wooded, threaded with rivers, and capable of being strongly defended. Hero, also, are the great fortresses of Liege, Namur, Mens and Lille, either to be captured or left as a great source of danger in their rear. If everything had gone well with the Germans, according to their plan of campaign, they would by this time have macte their dash through Belgium and been well pn the way to Paris, if npt actually at its gates. What have they done? To revert to the illustration they have captured some defenceless towns, roughly corresponding to Christchurch, Ashburton, and Tirnaru. That is decidedly unpleasant for the inhabitants, but it hinders, instead of helps, the plan of campaign. Instead of tyneEing precious tijne Jierp they should ho trying to force their way through those wOods and river clefts beyond springfield where, by the way, the British and French armies would bo waiting for them. There is not the least doubt that the theatrical capture of Brussels and the march to Ostend were carried out simply for political reasons, to quieten discontent and uneasiness at Ilerlin. There, the people must be getting very apprehensive regarding the exceedingly slow progress being made in the direction of Paris, especially when they see the Russian bpav advancing with Threatening mien upon the opposite side of their country, now left m a very unguarded condition.. —Christchurch Press. The furthest point west (Roimi) reached by the advance scouts of the German forces is 130 miles from the German frontier in a direct line.