REVIEW OF THE WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 23, 3 January 1916, Page 5

REVIEW OF THE WAR.

LORD SYDENHAM INTERVIEWED

United Press Association. London, December JJ

Lord Sydenham, who is recognised as one of the world greatest military authorities, granted the Australian Press .Association mi interview . In reviewing the situation he said:— “file year has ended in shadow. It iias brought many sacrifices, without aiiy visible successes which might seem to offer adequate compensation. The conquest of the German colonies, wherein Australia and New Zealand played an important part, is the only counter-stroke on the side of the Allies to the enemy’s territorial gains in Poland. In the Near Past we have had to withdraw a great part of the Imperial troops from Gallipoli, and at •Salonika we arc on the defence awaiting attacks, while a further efiort against Suez may lie impending. We met with a reverse on the Tigris, and nowhere can he seen a near prospect of a decisive military advantage. Jf we contemplate past events in detail there may appear to he ground ior pessimism, but in war on a gigantic scale it is essential to view the situation as a whole.

“The tear 1797 ended in the greatest gloom for our forefathers. The great naval battles of Capo St. \ incont am! Camperdown had been won, but there were acute internal dissensions and almost intolerable public burdens. Jim Bank of England suspended cash payments, and when the mutinies at Spitbead and The No re broke out all hopes of victory might have seemed to be lost. We may well consider these facts now.

“The real crisis passed in September, ]914, when the German plan of campaign was wrecked and Paris was saved. The wonderful preparedness of the enemy and his instant perception of his new needs told heavily against the Allies, who are only now beginning to attain to the ascendancy of material which, with superior forces, will enable them to establish themselves. “Their campaign failed in the West, and the Central Powers struck wildly eastward, but were finally brought to a standstill by the splendid tenacity of our allies in Russian territory, fortresses were abandoned, hut the enemy failed to take Riga, and must bear the rigors of a Polish winter, witn the unceasing menace of Russia’s masses growing more formidable as the armaments increase. The enemy is now held fast on the Eastern and Western fronts, and his powei a R* pears to depend on I the subsidised Turks and Bulgars. Meanwhile the eager efforts of the Germans have failed to destroy' the 1 unity of the Allies, who, \iith gathering strength, possess a ,stern determination to await the

coming} spring. “The economic pressure of the navy is 1 icginning to tell, and the enemy’s internal situation s gradually becoming more acute. Winter is on the side of the Allies, who face the future without misgiving.

“For Australia and New Zealand the year 1915 will always he associated with glorious memories. Their troops have shown a gallantry and endurance unsurpassed in the history of war. If victory Was denied at Gallipoli they have won undying fame. They have given enduring examples of. devoted sacrifice from which the whole Empire draws hope and inspiration. “France is showing all the great qualities which she possesses as the builder up of the finest traditions. Russia . stemmed the firece onslaughts of the Austrians and Germans with indomitable spirit, and is silently developing the unrivalled resources of her, splendid manhood, and Italy is fighting bravely. “Our warlike but unmilitary Empire is solidly united in face of the common peril, and is raising, trained citizens by the million. “Above all stands our navy, firmly holding the seas of the world. It is far more powerful than when the war began, and under such conditions the Allies can confront the New Year with calm and confidence.”

A GERMAN REVIEW

London, January 1. The Frankfurter Zeitnng, in giving the first review of the whole war, admits that .Germany’s intentions as regards France have not been fulfilled. The Russian campaign was broken off' beyond the Poland fortress area east of Vilna by a glorious victory, hut the paper admits the truth that it is u-i possible to forward the conquest cl Russia. The battle on the Western front at the beginning of October was the greatest defensive battle in history. The Balkan campaign joins ns up with Bulgaria and Turkey, thus