The Daily News. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1915.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1915.

THE EAST DAZZLES GERMANY. Recent war davelopments in the Near Ei=t have drawß particular attention to probably the most important part of Germany's ambitious programme of world dominance from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Let anyone interested in Teutonic aims take up the map of the world and follow thereon step by step the path which Germany meant, and still means, to take (unless prevented—a* will surely be the case), in order to realise that dazzling dream of conquest that she hoped would culminate in having the world at her feet. The history of / the present war reveals in no uncertain manner that Germany's attack on Prance and Russia was merely to be a preliminary to that vast scheme which embraced not only the whole continent of Europe, the Empires of Russia and Turkey, but extended to Arabia, Persia, Afghanistan, India, Africa, and probably China and Japan, with the Pacific Islands thrown in, as well as Aus- | tralasia, and in course of time the masterstroke of all —the conquest of Britain. This is no Munchausen story, but a real sketch of operations deemed not only possible, but well within the ■ reach of German power—if all went well. Napoleon and Alexander had visions of vast Empire dominance, but these were a mere circumstance to the castles in the air built by the Kaiser and his satellites, and they still hope that the fortunes of war will enable the end in view to be achieved. So far, Germany has not got within reach of fulfilling any of her designs. Her firat move after declaring war on Russia was to make a dash to crush France, and it then was hor intention to subjugate Kussia. Both these schemes miscarried, thanks to the magnificent bravery of the Belgians, whose interference with the plans of the mighty Kaiser was never even considered possible Baulked of their prey, the Germans entered upon a ferocious and barbaric revenge on Belgium 1 , and threw their hosts against the Russians in Poland, but nothing except barren victories resulted. Instead oi trampling on Russia and forcing thai power to sue for peace so that Germany might then turn her attention to the founding of that Great Eastern Empire which was to be her crowning glory, Russia is becoming stronger than ever and in « far better position to crash than

be crushed. There was yet one other road that might lead to success—that through the Balkans to Turkey, Egypt, and thence to the much-coveted jewel of the British—lndia. The Kaiser had tried the two lines of greatest resistance and had signally failed. There was still the line of least resistance—the Balkans, and it is by her move in that direction Germany hopes to bring Britain and her Allies to sue for peace. She found a ready ani willing ipol in Bulgaria to further her aims, Außtriu had already made the Serbians suf'sr great losses, and Bulgaria was to complete the wreck. Here the stars in th :ir course fought for the Teutons, as they did in Turkey. To aid their Russian ally and open up the Dardanelles, Britain and France entered upon the (iallipoli campaign, and thereby played into the hands of the enemy, for .the war against Turkey has enabled the Germans 'to utilise Turkish forces ,to further the Teutonic programme, and that they will use those forces for all they are worth is beyond question. Turkey has placed herself in Germany's power, and though there may be internal troubles, the Turks will either have to play Germany's game or be extinguished. The consequences of this Tnrco-German coalition will necessitate the Allies employing much larger forces in the Balkans; displaying increased effectiveness and vigor in Mesopotamia; prosecuting the Gallippli campaign with determination, and taking the necessary protective measures to ensure the safety of the Suez Canal. It will be noted that at the same time at which Germany is proclaiming her intention to raid the Suez Canal, she is pouring in teinforcements and artillery at the Western front. This is all part of her usual tactics, but the Allies cannot I afford to take any risks. In all probability there is no longer any serious thought in Germany of world power. Her pressing need is to he in a position to make favorable terms of peace that will leave her a free hand for the future. Turkey can materially help in this direction if she will, by placing her armed manhood at the disposal of the Kaiser—something approaching to a million and three-quarters, all told. As against this combination Russia expects to put in the field four million men, Italy is helping to the utmost of Iter ability, and success for the Allies in the Balkans will mean that Roumania will cast in her lot with them. It seems very much as if Germany has undertaken a greater row than she can hoc, and that her position is getting far more serious as time goes on. Of course, she !» putting forth a blatant boast of her intentions, the achievement of which depends not on wishes, but on ability to realise her hopes. That ability is on the decline, while the strength and resources of the Allies are still expanding. Whether the final struggle takes place on the East or on the West is a matter of indifference, nothing but a miracle can save Germany from eventually being defeated and becoming a crushed and bankrupt country for many years to come.