CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 98, 1 December 1915, Page 5

CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

The activities of the air fleets of the combatants are becoming more and more piViminfeilt, ’ amP thfc 'Allied’ aviators are more and more proving that the claim to superiority ami personal ascendancy is justifiable*. l Last-'-week 1 we read that in several-air battles the Geripaps lost ai ■ number! of their aeroplanes., To-day comes ‘ the news that

on (last them'were air encounters,; with the 'result that one hostile .machine iwas .brought down at Sequedin in France. Successful bombing .fxttacks were Carried out on the German aerodrome at Gits and upon the ammunition factory at La Chapeletto.:..: Fourteen Allied machines ■■ attacked at Gits and nineteen at La * Chapelette, and after doing considerable dfimage, returned safely. On the same'day, 'near the coast a trench, aeroplafib ■'brought "down a. Gentian, I while* a!‘British sea-plane vanquished an enemy (aeroplane*. To finish a day’S’ i^porf: , an'aerojfrane manned by Britishers' ‘destroyed ; h : Geuniah 1 ' submarihh' lit ‘Mi'ddlbkcrke, breaking it in half. ' - VnH favt;. mi- " - . •' ' bywlp- -ml i' ■ ■; ; .1 ' SalbiVika will ever be remembered in bistort “as' the scene of a dramatic event 'that for a time threatened destruction of a number of Allied troops at the hands of the Greek King. Apart from that, Salonika has immense value to the people who have control of it. It is really the first port in Greece, from a commercial standpoint. But at present it is of greater importance as a strategic point. It offers facilities for the landing of troops. Its cliqmte is particularly healthy.' Against any attack from land the town is defended by a great chain of Lakes. Around and between these passes a fine strategic railway system. From Salonika to Nish the distance is 282 miles, traversed in peace times in 16 hours. The railway, which passes within a short distance of the Bulgarian frontier, has to cross the river Vardar a number of times, and can, therefore, be cut with ease. Of this we have earlier in the war had a significant example. It is perhaps not dangerous to suggest that the other railway, which is running parallel to but some miles north of the Aegean coast, connects Salonika with the Maritza valley, Adriaiiopio, and Constantinople, might have its uses in certain circumstances. • From it one of the few high roads in Macedonia runs up the Struma valley to Sofia.

Regarding Greece, the opinion from all sources seems to be that Greece will concede to the Entente’s requests. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent says that a reply is immediate, but that Greece will ask the Allies what are their military intentions in the Balkans. Some consider that the .concessions will be granted Under protest. It looks now as il the boot is on the other foot. Greece is now afraid of the troops who are massing at Salonika, and she jibs at the demand to remove her own away from that port. In this direction, a step has been taken, and the same correspondent reports that the military concession is to bp examined by a Greek and Franco-British Commission. A semi-official message received later states that Greece has replied in friendly terms that are expected to pave the way to an agreement. This is all very well, but they gave a similar reply during the earlier negotiations... and it is ventured,to say that as long as the King is,allowed to retain the' present unconstitutional government there can be little faith in the word of Greece. It is noted

that the Yenizelos party is holding itself aloof from the proceedings. Too ashamed of the proceedings, perhaps! VenizeloS, no doubt, is waiting his day. When it conies to honorable proceedings, and where there' ■is no time-gaining shuffling scheming that has 1 shown'- itself in Constantine and bis‘German Queyn’S 1 doitlgs,then A oni-sieiW-will “take a' hand and assdrt the ' will of the majority whom lie represents. 'But it' remains for the Allies to remove' the ' undoubted ■ impression* from 1 ' the' ! G reek mi ads that < the G ermaiis are‘ winning, and to 1 shobV ■that the. Allies liAve them in’ hand.

The campaign against Baghdad has reached within a few miles of that wonderful city, and it is only the awaiting of re-niforccmonts that is postponing the capture. General Townsend, who is in charge of the advance force, secured 'a victory, the ' other day, but had to withdraw down the river on account of the arrival of fresh Turkish troops. The main body of the British force cannot bo far off, and General Townsend will not be long .deprived of the fruits of his liaid .fighping. ( The Turks lost a whole divi,siph in the ’ recent fight. Evidently thsy are sending all their troops in Mesopotamia to Baghdad in a final effprt to keep out the British troops. The fall of Baghdad will probably mean the finish of the campaign, and the Turks will hie their way to Gallipoli or elsewhere if they have not had sufficient fighting. A more fitting reward than the capture of the great Citv of the East would be hard to find for' the gallant men who have nearly brought the hardest .campaign of the war to a gloroins end.'