The Daily News. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1914.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 80, 28 August 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1914.

PROGRESS OF THE AVAR. If wo arc to believe the reports emanating from Holland, Germany's design is to abandon temporarily East and West Prussia to the Russians, and meanwhile deal a death-blow to tlhe British and French forces, preparatory to marching upon Paris. No doubt this is the intention of the Germans. It is another tiling, however, to carry it out. This fact should be apparent already to the G»rmans, who are now meeting with real opposition to their southern march. They have for the time being secured the upper hand in Belgium, wliose forces were totally inadequate to deal effectively with the mighty German hosts that crossed the border. To Have checked their movements for a week or two was as muah as anyone expected of the Belgians, whose bravery under adverse conditions has appealed strongly to the British and French nations, who have resolved to extend her all the help, military and monetary, within their power. Meantime Germany is laying tremendous tribute upon the conquered territory, which they also threaten to incorporate with their Empire. Much water will flow in their beloved Rhine before the threat is translated into action. Perhaps, in the end, it will be German territory annexed by Belgium. The Germans' exactions and barbarous treatment of the inoffensive incombatant Belgians will be duly taken into consideration when the inevitable hill is presented to the rapacious Germans. At any rate, this will be the liope of all members of the British race. The German attack on the Allies is so far inconclusive. Terrific fighting is proceeding over an extensive line, from practically the Swiss border on the one side to the English Channel on the other, though the main attack seems to be in the territory from Mons to Longwy, in the triangle formed by the rivers Sambre and Meuse. The Allies had advanced from their positions to meet the foe, but subsequently found it advisable to retire to their original lines. The British troops have been placed where they desired to be—in, the thick of it, right athwart the German legions. They have come through the ordeal in a manner worthy of the traditions of the race. They have succeeded in what they have been asked to do—to hold the enemy in cheek. The French have bestowed great praise upon their work and their fighting capacity. Even that ineffnsive soldier. Lord Kitchener, has been moved to publicly acknowledge that our men ''maintained the traditions of British soldiers with the utmost gallantry," and to say Hie was proud of them. Coming from a man like Lord Kitchener, this is praise indeed. We of the British race have no doubt at all as to the way in which our soldiers will acquit themselves in this crisis. They will do their duty, as their fathers have done before theni. The. only regret we can entertain at this time of stress is that we have not thousands where we have hundreds to place immediately in the field. The attack on the British position seems to have been of a furious description, and lasted for thirty-six hours. Our men made splendid practice with their artillery and rifle fire. The former is described as "magnificently accurate," and the rifle-shooting as "wonderful," and as "cool and calculated as that of a prize rifleman at a disappearing target." The French have since strengthened the British force at Mons, where the. Germans are further concentrating in order t» force a passage. The French are retiring from the extended positions they recently won in Alsace and Lorraine and falling back upon the great lilie of fortresses wlireh extend right along the Franco-German frontier. This appears to be sound tactics, for the chief necessity now is' to keep Germany fully occupied whilst the Russians advance from the other side. The latter appear to be making considerable headway, hut they have yet to cross the Vistula, which is strongly held. But once they succeed in thia formidable task, the way to Berlin will be cleared, and the Kaiser will require all the help he can get from his southern armies to save the capital. The Russians are said to lie in great force —four millions, with another four millions m support. This is probably an exaggeration. But that they are vastly numerically superior to the force that Germany can musror there can be little doubt. Besidee the German invasion, the Russians are making headway in Austria. This is shown by the decision of the Government to place Vienna in a state of defence. The news we are receiving of the Russian movements in Austria is very meagre, but it is apparent that with little iServia slashing at them on the side, the Russians advancing on anotlier, i and the Italians knocking at the door on tlie. Adriatic, Austria will have her hands very full and will soon have to recall the troops she is reported to have sent to the assistance of the German army <,i invasion. On the whole, the situation is quite satisfactory so far as tlie Allies are concerned. There are bound to be reverses and great losses, but of the ultimate outcome there can . I> ■ no doubt—Germany must h. 1 . beaten. ,