The Daily News. FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1916. "A PERFECT LITTLE ARMY."

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1916. "A PERFECT LITTLE ARMY."

Lord Northcliffe has contributed to the London Times several interesting communications concerning war matters, the material for which lie obtained by personally visiting different points in the Western theatre. His latest letter, the text of which appears in this morning's cable news, gives a graphic account of the reorganisation of the heroic Belgian army. The sympathetic treatment of the subject by Lord Xorthciiffe touches a note that gives an added charm to the descriptive matter. With the dexterity of a past-master in the art of constructing verbal pictures, he first holds up to view the Belgian army as it appeared to him soon after its long scries of rearguard actions—war-weary, and needing slee.p, yet possessing both heart and discipline. To-day, what a different spectacle does that brave army present! Refreshed, re-fitted and re-organised it i.- a "perfect little army," having as its responsible head M. do Broqueville, the Prime Minister and Minister of War. a man possessing vital force, the mainspring of success. So little is heard of the part this army is playing in the war that its presence in the Western theatre has almost escaped attention, and yet it ir doing its full share—possibly more—in barring the advance of the Germans on Paris. Although the line held by the Belgians is in area the shortest held by the Allies, yet in proportion to population it is, says Lord Xorthclift'e, much the longest. Indirectly, this is paying a fitting tribute to the bravery and unquenchable military spirit of the Belgir.ns, who have not only to fight against the enemy, but also the mud of Flanders, —deeper and blacker than any in Belgium. On the way to the batteries to witness one of the intermittent artillery duels, Lord Northcliffe had an opportunity of seeing the terrible havoc indicted by the Huns on the Flemish villages, and so greatly was he impressed with the ruthless destruction in all directions that he was filled with regret ihat kinema operators were not sent to prove to the world the frightfulncss of German methods, It certainly is a thousand pities that advantage has not been taken of such an object lesson that would have stimulated recruiting and for ever held up the Huns as monsters possessing the primitive instincts of untutored savages filled with the lust of destruction. Belgium has suffered the full force of Germany's savagery, but it is satisfactory to know that the Allies have pledged themselves to' place the restoration of Belgium, with full compensation to the victims, ia the forefront of the terms of peactt

WILL CAVALRY HE SUPERSEDED? In the annals of Jiritish warfare the exploit.-; of tlie cavalry have formed the theme of many a glowing epic, and its deeds of dashing heroism are emblazoned on the military records in vivid colors that will never fade. Modern methods of conducting hostilities have been considerably revolutionised in consequence of the advance of science and the application of new inventions to military use. An illustration of this was given in the recent attack on the enemy's camp in tlio vicinity of Solium, and the account of the operations conveys the impression that armored motor cars are likely to largely supersede cavalry in open country in the future. Side by side with this important innovation was yet another evidence of the march of science] ns applied to the conduct of war, for pieceding the advance of the armored cars wa s an aeroplane reconnai6ance whereby the exact position and disposition of the enemy was ascertained. It is well known that cars suitable for the pirpose will travel at a good speed over exceptionally rough ground, and it is unlikely that a force of cavalry would stand any chance against a line of armored motor cars carrying machine guns. The Duke of Westminster, who commands this novel force, was, during the earlier stages of the war, aide-de-camp to Lord French. Ho pushed forward, after traversing the first eight miles, at the astonishing speed of forty miles an hour. -No cavalry horses could possibly maintain such a rate of progress, nor could they carry machine-guns ready for use at any moment. The force was enabled to dash right into the enemy's camp, shoot down the teams manning the guns which opened on the attackers, and pursue the enemy for ten miles. It is for work like this the armored motor car.3 are peculiarly fitted, and it vi not difficult to comprehend that the effect of such a dash would be most demoralising, while its swiftness would have all the benefit attaching to a surprise attack. There are, of course, many occasions on which armored motors could not be utilised with advantage, but given favorable opportunities they form a most important factor in military movements when artillery is not brought into action, while for rapid conveyance of flying columns from one locality to another they are invaluable.