CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 95, 28 March 1916, Page 5

CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

1 Another field for the offensive by the Allied Fleet has been opened up, as shown by the cables to-day, in the naval attack on Schleswig-Hol-stein, the province of Prussia lying between the North Sea and the Baltic, distant from the east coast of Britain about 450 miles. The object of the raidl was an attack on the airsheds at Tondern, which is a few miles inland on the north-western coast, opposite the North Friesian Islands, viz., Romo, Sylt, Fohr, Amrum, Pellworm, and Nordstrand. The raid was made by five seaplanes, according to our Admiralty report, but the result of the adventure has not been ma,de very clear. On the other hand, the Germans claim to have brought down three out of the five machines, among them, it is stated, being one battle-plane. However, that ig not a very serious matter if the enemy suffered the destruction of their airsheds or in other directions.

The operations were attended by rather important naval actions between the rival fleets, and it appears from the accounts to hand that Hie enemy got some nasty jars. It was more than a passing scrap, if we may judge by the wording of -the cables, which refers to the “preliminary to the main action.” This was on Friday off Heligoland, when four Ger r man destroyers were cut off from the squadron and were compelled to steam northward, followed, of course, by the British, who pasted them for all they were worth, the result being the destruction of this section of the flotilla. As many as fifty Geripan and eighty British vessels were seen on the high seas and heavy cannonading was heard at Esbjerg, on the mainland of Jutland, and at Fano, an island opposite. This is evidently where the main engagement was fought, and it followed the Heligoland operations oh the previous day. Few particulars are vouchsafed to us of the affair, Indeed, the ways of the Admiralty pass understanding. We are told that two trawlers (no less!) fled while afire towards the island of Sylt. It will be time enough to expect to hear what happened when the Geiman Admiralty admit having had a bad time. At any rate, that was the position in connection with the North Sea duel between the Alcantara .and the Greif, which occurred a month ago! It mattered not that the plucky gunners on | the British ship proved themselves to be ‘heroes of the first water, and that they risked then lives to save their enemies, who fired their last broadside as the Alcantara was approaching on her merciful eirand. No one doubts for a moment that the bhoys of the bull-dog breed are not doing their share, but, to say the least, it is a peculiar policy of the Naval Office to keep in evergrowing suspense and to ignore the widespread desire of the people of the Empire and the friendly Neutrals for less blue pencil-work by the censor. “Faith without works is like a t-ira without wings!”

An invasion of Schleswig-Holstein opens up great possibilities. Dividing the province fairly in the middle is the Kaiser Wilhelm (North SeaBaltic) Canal, at the Baltic end of which is Kiel, the chief naval stat o*. of ; the German .Empire in the Baltic In 1891 the island of Heligoland, anciently a religious centre of the Friesian race (whence its name oi “holy island), and which for eightythree years was in the possession o' Britain, was incorporated with tinprovince. Schleswig, long an obj t • of contention between the Danes am the Germans, became a possession o Denmark in the 11th centaly, «>ulater an independent state unde Danish suzerainty. About the end o the 14th century it was united t Holstein. In 1848-50 Schleswig-Hol ‘stein unsuccessfully rebelled agains-. Denmark; but in 1864 they wev wrested from the latter country b Austria and Prussia. Iwo J*-' 1, later, in 1866, Prussia, after her victory over Austria, incorporated the two duchies in her dominions, ■

Submarine victims continue to bo enrolled by the enemy with uncomfortable regularity. The Hun is no re spec tor of persons in his orgy of blood lust, and the ships of belligerents and neutrals suffer sudden destruction at sight. The American President appears to bo slow to anger and of great patience, as it is stated that beyond sending another Note of Protest, no further action will he taken. This is hard to swallow whole, and it would be well to defer judgment until there has been more time for decision. That the American press demand instant action is not to be wondered at; Roosevelt will see to that in bis “Bull Moose” way! Meanwhile, other Neutrals are anxiously considering the possibilities of continuing their ’sea trade, and in some countries the seafaring men are declining to sign on.

Thp Balkans promises to ho the, iscene of lively exchanges shortly, if the Germans, as reported, are on the eve of an energetic offensive. In fact,; in the Doiran region, north of Salonika, this; has already been begun, and the French troops have been successful, so far, in stemming the tide. In silipport of the report, it is stated that the Greek Government are actively assisting to clear the fighting zone of all civilians, in view of an invasion by the Central Powers. The best news from France and the Yerdun sector for a long time is the fact that the British has taken over ninety miles of the. front from , the French forces. It is not & small indication of the growth and efficiency of the British Army, and coming at the present stage of the struggle, it will do much to impress the enemy with the altered conditions under which the British Lion is facing the Prussian Eagle. From Russia, it is reported that fierce fighting has occurred in the Lakes district for possession of the railways, of which Vilna is the kingpin. The order of the Turks for the evacuation of Konieh, or Konia, a town in the south of Asia Minor, 100 miles from the shores of the Mediterranean, is conclusive evidence of the tight corner into which they are being driven by the Allies. The recent aerial activity is proof of the Imperial Government’s assurance in the House of Commons that the service’s resources, both offensive and defensive, were being used to the utmost.

All Ranks in Single Family. —The Year Book of the Society of Dorset Men in London contains a double page of photographs ol Captain Alfred Pope, National Reserve, ol Wrackleford House, Dorset, and ms ten sons and a son-in-l.nv, who are feerving in the King’s forces. They

are:— Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Pope, Welsh Regiment. Major Rolph Pope, Dorset Regiment. Captain A. R. Haig-Brown, Lancing College O.T.C. Lieutenant C. A. W. Pope, R.A.M.C. Lieutenant J. A. Pope, K.R. Rifles. Lieutenant D. Pope, Bth Hussars. Lieutenant P. P. Pope, Welsh Regiment (missing). Lieutenant Cyril Pope, Beds Regiment (prisoner of war). Lieutenant A, V. Pope, Dorset \ .T. Hussars. Sergeant G. C. Pope, Dorset \ .T. Corps. Private 0. Pope, Ceylon Planters’ Corps.