The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1915. LESSONS OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 179, 7 January 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1915. LESSONS OF THE WAR.

It may, from an academical point of view, be considered too early for any process of deduction to be serviceably used in connection with the military ami "aval operations as far us tl.ey have gone up to the present. While admitting this contention as sound in principle, it does not militate against an impartial retrospect, with the object of ascertaining, in the light of what has already happened, Hie relative tactical strength and weakness of the opposing forces, and the conclusions to be derived therefrom. There are three main points on which comment may be made with advantage, namely, Germany's plans, Britain's naval power, and the relative utility or otherwise of the colonial possessions of Britain and Germany. With regard to Germany's plans, the five months of war which have already passed have proved that those plans were the outcome of years of careful thought and preparation on the part of military experts, who have made the study of warfare a science and fine art. Her military men had weighed well the state of their country's forces and those of the enemy, and were evidently convinced that their complete preparation for hostilities would enable the German troops to make a dash on Belgium and France before either Russia or Britain could intervene, for it must be assumed that they calculated 011 such intervention taking place, though probably at too late a time to be of any service. Germany knew only too well that Britain's play was to exhaust every possible means of avoiding war, before resorting to hostilities as a last resort. It is also fair to assume that Russia's intervention would also take shape, but that her mobilisation would be ponderous and slow. The one great fatal mistake made by the German military authorities was m failing to comprehend the spirit and power of resistance which the Belgians possessed. A miscalculation of that kind might not seem a matter of grave import when compared with the millions of armed men at Germany's disposal, but it was just the deciding factor in turning the scale, for the invading hosts wen' held in check sufficiently long to enable France, Britain, and Russia to mobilise, with the result that to-day the Germans are retreating, instead of advancing, while their losses have been enormous. It was on August 2 that the ultimatum was delivered to Belgium,, to be met two days later by the British declaration of war, and on August 8 Germany declared war on France, throwing an army of 300,000 men into Luxembourg. Germany evidently intended leaving to Austria the task of dealing with Russia during the time that it was anticipated would be required to crush France, and then the German forces would proceed to pulverise Russia. It is equally apparent that Germany did not consider Britain could be ready to assist France in tune to be of service. Here, again, Germany was out of her reckoning. V. ltli a million and a quarter of

troops massed on the west of tho Kliine, it looked as if the German plan must succeed, yet not only did the Belgians hold Liege until .August 15, but they delayed the Germans' crossing of the Meuse and attack on Naniur until August ■2l. How important this heroic defence was is illustrated by the fact that by August 14 the French concentration had practically been completed, and two days later the British forces had landed in France. From that day to the present Germany has had to face the determined opposition of the Allies, and instead of advancing has been slowly yet surely driven back. Another effect of the delay was that it enabled the Russians to create a diversion by invading East Prussia, and bring about a panic that compelled the Germans to withdraw forces from the west in order to meet the menace in the east, while Servia carried out some extremely useful operations against the Austrians, and, by inflicting serious defeats, drove tho enemy out of Servia. As to the operations on the Vistula, there is no need to comment. Russian, tactics and strategy bave, on the whole, been successful, and the last news from that quarter indicates the ending of a great battle in their favor. Tile only other matter of importance is

the entrance of Turkey into the war zone, resulting in the freeing of Egypt from Turkish nominal rule, and the institution of a British protectorate. So far the military operations have demonstrated that Germany is only relatively strong, and that her vaunted military science is no better than, if as good as, that of the Allies. Her initial mistake lias been followed Ijy many others, but the coming months will be the real test of her strength, as well as that of the -•l'lies., As to the share which the British Navy lias taken in the war, it will be seen that our first line of defence ha« been of the greatest importance. Its I pi-eat preponderating strength lias sufficed to buttle up the Herman fleet. It lias driven Herman commerce from the seas, and has assisted the military operations on the Belgian coast. j„ addition , to these services, the Navy has kept op -U the highways of the sea for British commerce and supplies, and enabled the safe transport of the overseas forces ■' to tli.il- destinations. Some losses have ' heen experienced, but that was i,„. vit . ' able. \i here liave been many exhibitions

ef thrilling daring deeds by British seamen, an d, apart from the demonstra-

tion of our maritime supremacy, it lias been once more shown that the personnel of the Navy to-day is, if anything, more worthy of the Empire than of yore, and that is the highest compliment it can receive. Should the long-looked-for opportunity of getting at grips with the naval forces of the enemy arrive, there need be no fear of the result, "in spite of the indi: criminate use made of mines. On the question of the relative value or otherwise of colonial possessions, it is interesting! to note that, while Germany's colonics have been a drag on her, and a source of weakness, Britain's oversea dominions have been a tower of strength. Germany lias lost her Pacific colonies, and, by the irony of Fate, their capture is due to the forces of the Briiisli donvfnions. Her African possessions

are doomed, and her sole base in the Far East has surrendered. But what of the British dominions? In spite of the efforts made by German agents to incite the Indians to rebellion, their loyalty has been one of the most inspiring features of the war, and India's magnificent response lias opened the eyes of the world to her value as an asset of the Empire. Canada, Soutli Africa, Australia, and New Zealand have contributed men right nobly and loyally in thousands, and are bent on furnishing as many more as may bo required. Well may such an exhibition make Germany quail with fear, and there is every justification for that intense pride 'which Britain feels in this grand exhibition of Imperial loyalty and unity, while the Allies are equally gratified at the accession of strength that will inspire them to the greatest efforts in the successful prosecution of the war.