THE SITUATION TO-DAY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2647, 18 December 1915, Page 5

THE SITUATION TO-DAY

A BIRD'S EYE VIEW MR. HILAIRE BELLOC IS OPTIMISTIC By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London) December 16. 'Writing in "Land and Water," Mr. Hilaire Belloc, roviowing the situation, says that the enemy's /higher command still believes tli.it political action will enable the salvation of Prussia and her dependents. The enemy no longer talks of European domination, but lie is concentrating his attention on a settlement which will leave Prussianised Germany intact. Ho believes this to he possible through the-political weakness, diversions, and lack of common leadership among the Allies and the intervention of further neutrals on his 6ide. The, enemy knows that the East and West are the decisive theatres of the war; that lie must keep two and > a quarter millions on the West and Italian fronts, more than, this on the East front, and a million and a half for his communications and auxiliary services. Germany has exhausted her efficient reserves, and those not yet called tip will yield a maximum of eight hundred thousand men. Ho is gambling upon his power to hold out by _ gradually increasing the proportion of inefficients until some accident brings in further neutrals. The addition of Greece and Rumania would temporarily relieve the enemy. Tlio enemy knows that the Allies' reserves are overwhelming; but he relics on the limitation of the Italian forces. Italy has not even declared war on Germany. But time, coupled with the stupidity of the sinking of tho Anconn, is strengthening the bonds betweon Italy and the Allios. . Secondly, tho enemy relies upon t'he gravo delay which is unavoidable in tho re-arming of Russia; thirdlv, upon tho difficulty of officering the Russian, armies, and, lastly, upon the fact thijt the new British amies are handicapped by the rapid and novel nature of their organisation. But the enemy must soberly sfee that time, is working against him. The German public ha's been induced to believe that the war is already won. This belief has an. clement of weakness, which will lead to sudden disillusionment when tho prolongation of the war brings affairs very rapidly against him.