PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1914, Page 8

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

REPORTED CLOSING OF NORTH SEA CAN THE EXPEDITION CROSS? The Daily Mail states that the North Sea is firmly held by the British Navy, which has closed all the maritime approaches to Germany. Whether this means the closing of the two entrances to the North Sea, or the drawing of a closer line of blockade across the German ports, is not clear. The estuaries of the Ems, the Weser, and the Elbe have not only their own defences and squadrons, but are further protected by outlying fortifications like Borkum and Heligoland. (Twenty odd years ago British diplomacy sought to appease Germany by ceding to her Heligoland, undei< the vain delusion that it would not be fortified, but the Germans have made it " a miniature Malta.") "WASP" RAIDS FROM GERMANY. In the opinion of the Germans, a close blockade of the North Sea coast of Germany is impossible; and they have calculated that, even if they cannot face us in an open naval battle, they can harry British fleets and shipping by means of airships, aeroplanes, and such "wasps of the sea " as destroyers, torpedo-boats, and submarine craft. By this means, they hope to prevent the transport of a, British expeditionary force to the Continent. Wilhelmshaven, near the mouth of the Weser, and Cuxhaven, overlooking the estuary of the Elbe, are headquarters of "wasp" raids. Borkum, the island stronghold commanding the estuary of the Ems, is a screed from behind which raiding craft, based on Emden, 1 are expected- to issue forth, but the main torpedo squadron has its headquarters at Wilhelmshaven. Heligoland possesses a torpedo station, also a large pit in which a Zeppelin airship may be protected from attack. The Zeppelin's role is to sally forth at night and sail towards Britain and (if it is lucky) drop a bomb on 'Woolwich, arsenal. TO BELGIAN VIA FRANCE? If the British Navy holds the narrow waters of the Straits of Dover, that fact alone would not render the transport of troops to Belgium an operation free from German attack. But it would protect the transport of an expeditionary force from the south coast of England to the coast of Frahce. So, if the Daily Mail's statement means a complete closing of, the Straits -of Dover — and if it is true— there is no apparent reaeon why Britain should not, reach the Belgian battlefield via. France. Real security, however, can hardly be felt as long as the German Dreadnougnts remain afloat. Are they safe behind fortifications, awaiting a strategical moment to strike in force, relying on the contact mines (with which they cow the sea) reducing the numbers of British battleships? If the Germans are capable of raising tho blockade or partial blockade created by the British Navy, their time to strike cannot be indefinitely postponed, because their oversea communications are cut, and their shipping is perishing. The present preponderance of British hitting power at sea was explained in a. special article published yesterday. As long ac it continues, it is a safe margin. FIGHTING ON BOTH WINGS. ' As regards tho Belgian defence of the Meuse (Liegc-Namur line) it! now seems to be conceded by both eides that the Germans hold the town and tho Belgians the forte, and it is the forts that matter. Germany is preparing to force tho line of the Meuee at Huy, about midway beween Liege and Namux. Massed attacks on fortified positions have caused the Germans great losses, which have, however, been exaggerated. The importance of individual engagements haa ako beftii over-stated, but it is ' clear that in Belgium the Germans have lost many men, muoh valuable time, 1 and some prestige. From Louvain, the junction of the Brussels (capital) and Antwerp railways, the Belgian main army is now reported to be advancing to' support the defenders of the Meuse. Probably it is co-operating with tho French. Belgium represents, France's left wing. Two hundred miles away, on her right wing, France has invaded Alsace-Lor-raine, defeated the Germans at Altkirch, and (according to Paris) occupied the important industrial town of Mulhausen. Whether this raid into Alsace-Lorraine by a French Division from Belfort will develop into an invasion on a big scale is not certain. It shows, however, that while the Germans are assailing France's left wing, their own left is vulnerable, and France's offensive move will hearten up Alsace-Lorraine. Belgian and French reports both allege that the French outfought the Germans in such close fighting as has occurred. ' POSITION OF AUSTRIA. Another report— to be regarded with reserve — is that two Austrian army corps are' being brought to the Rhine, indicating that Germany is feeling the effect of her set-back in Belgium and of French pressure in Alsace. Austria, will probable need all her army corps before long, as the Russians are reported to have invaded Galicia, a Slav province of Austria adjoining Russia. Also, Austrian operations against Servia have accomplisned little, and the Serbs may take the offensive. • • Italy appears to be holding out against German threata, and to be rigidly preserving her neutrality. , Russian and German missions to Rome mean that both sides" are endeavouring to secure the aid of Italy. As Italy covets parts of the Adriatic coast of Austria, it is evident that the Entente could offer her more than' Germany and Austria could. (Note the significant comments of The Times, cabled to-day.) Invasion by a" Italian army and bombardment by Italy's fleet would place Austria between two fires. She would be in imminent danger of being crushed betwen Italy and Russia. T\ussian influence is being' used in Bulgaria to prevent that Slav State jsining Turkey in a war on Servia and Greece. King Ferdinand of Bulgaria has assured the Tsar of his neutrality, but Ferdinand is an Austrian PnnCe and his personal sympathies are with Vienna. The Bulgarian Ambassador tb St. Petersßurg, General Dimitrieff, is evidently a stalwart Slav, for fre has volunteered, for service in the Russian Army. Rumania is guarding her frontiers. Just on the other side of them (in Transylvania) are some millions of Rumanians now under Austrian rule. A Rumanian reunion may result if Austria is overthrown.