Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1939. STRATEGY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 September 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1939. STRATEGY.

CONDITIONS ruling on the Western front at the outbreak of war in 1914 were in direct contrast to the present state of affairs; then, there was more-or-less open warfare, as instanced by the retreat from Mons, whereas now, the Allied and German forces are based on great fortification systems, known respectively as the Maginot and the Siegfried Lines, which each side has repeatedly declared to be impregnable. Time must prove the justice or otherwise of these claims. Meanwhile, it was to be expected that the intervening tract of country would become as a “no man’s land,” and spectacular developments in the Western campaign are not likely to occur suddenly. The French forces are reported to be increasing their pressure, and British troops to be landing in France, which implies an extension of the offensive now in progress, in accordance with the Allied strategy. This, of course, is directed to drawing German forces away from Poland, before their present overwhelming numbers crush the gallant resistance being made by the Poles. The latter are wisely not attempting to pit their

main forces against the enemy, but are carrying out strategical movements, calculated to harass and delay the Germans, until the Polish troops reach their selected defensive positions. They are doing their 1 part, in adversely affecting the plans of Herr Hitler for a successful “lightning war.” In view of the strength of the German forces, and the intensive preparations made for the campaign, advances in Poland were inevitable, ‘in the opening stages, but it is reported that there is no indication of a collapse of the Polish army, and these stubborn fighters may be expected to put up a continued resistance. The time factor is against the Germans, and their prospects are not improved by the necessity for fighting on two fronts, the east and the west. This division of forces was one of their main handicaps during the Great War, although the position then was accentuated by the presence of Russia on the side of the Allies.

UNDERSEA WARFARE. JT is already apparent that Germany has decided upon a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, of which the first fruit has been the callous sinking of the liner Athenia. The campaign of “frightfulness” which the Üboats followed in the closing stages of the Great War has been resumed, in spite of the German undertaking to conform to the rules of warfare, and further attacks upon unarmed merchant vessels may be expected. Signed in 1930, the London Naval Treaty ceased to operate in 1936, with the exception of that portion governing submarine warfare and the rights of merchantmen. This portion of the treaty, to which in 1936 Germany announced her adherence, is too plain to permit of any misapprehension. It provides that, except in the case of persistent refusal to stop on being duly summoned, or of active resistance to visit or search, a,warship, whether surface vessel or submarine, may not sink or render incapable of navigation a merchant vessel, without having first placed passengers, crew, and ship’s papers in a place of safety. For this purpose, the ship’s boats are not regarded as a place of safety, unless the safety of the ' passengers and crew is assured, in the existing sea and weather conditions, by the proximity of land or the presence of another vessel which is in a position to take them on board. The torpedoing, and subsequent shelling, of the Athenia, without warning, when she was two hundred miles from land, is therefore completely contrary to the rules, and is indefensible from all standpoints. Operated without regard for any dictates of humanity, the U-boats constitute a potent weapon at the disposal of Germany, and she is believed to have a con-i siderable number available. A determined drive against this menace has been undertaken by the British Navy, and the only policy likely to be effective is one of “no quarter. ■ ’ In conjunction with this drive, the convoy system will operate for the protection of the mercantile marine. It was not until 1917 that the Navy concentrated upon this procedure, and the result was a marked decrease in losses of tonnage, while in that year no fewer than 75 German submarines were sunk. It may be assumed that the system will be at least equally as effective in the present conflict. Incidentally, as the Admiralty points out, absence of information regarding U-boat casualties does not necessarily mean lack of success on the part of the British forces.