The Ensign. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1914. RUSSIA'S ONWARD MARCH.

Mataura Ensign, 28 August 1914, Page 4

The Ensign. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1914. RUSSIA'S ONWARD MARCH.

*j With the Russia/ii Army approaching " Posen, the capita] of the province of that name in Prussian Poland, where 0 tho fortified headquarters of the sth Gtvrman Army Corps are stationed, the J border between the two countries has 0 been left behind, and a titanic struggle 0 in German territory is imminent. 'Vhe 8 importance of the Russians' aceomplish--0 merit can be understood l when it is re~ mem bored that ever since Germany, by * her attitude at the Berlin Ooafwence V by her entry into the Triple Alliance, became openly antagonistic to Russia, she has fcpent money like water in ere- * atinjr the means to inarch an army rapidly to and across the Russian border. As against Russia's tAx railways sho hae nearly 20. A contributor to an Austrian paper pointed out recently, When discussing the Russian frontier question, that Germany could send at least 500 troop, titling' a day towards the frontier; concentrate the greater part of her military forces—ls army corps if necessary, and available—witlt- - in a few days of the declaration of war. Her technical resources, of siege parks, light ordnances, and stores, far exceed ' anything which Russia may command. And while the object in everything has been a speedy assault, defensive con- | sjderations have not been neglected. Her border provinces, especially ilitwe of Kastern Prussia, have been strongly, ' systematically defended by the creation J of Hiich fortresses as Thorn, Konigs- J berg, Posen and other, citadels. Everv ' year they have been improved. Eii- j trenched camps have been built at vital points of junction, war material iu abundance lies ready to hand. The forts pf the Vistula, as well as sonwt of the larger towns, are prepared for defence; and while Russia, ever since the Crimean war has given much attention to the Warsaw and Vilna areas, Germany's activity across' the border lias left her far behind. Poland (which is , supporting Russia) gives that country great advantage in a victorious offensive. As far as the ambitions of r the two Powers might be realised, Ger- , many, if she were successful, would take the Warsaw area as the fruits of conquest. Russia would, in a like post- 8 bem, annex Eastern Prussia up to the Vistula, which would give her a natural and immensely strengthened frontier. A consideration of frontier conditions ° as between Austria and Russia is almost completely iu favor of the former as, further north, they are for Ger- n j many. As soon as the Triple Alliance j was formed, Austria commenced to pre--1 pare for the inevitable war with Russia, G | the nation which camo ko often to its' o] | assistance in Xapoleotiie times, and to- F wards whom some sense of gratitiio fii ; might be expected, if that sentiment T were a vital consideration in the diplom- sa a.?v of nations. On the contrary, Auk- si tna has given more attention 'to her vi Russian frontier than io auv other see- Jl\ tieu of her borders. The natural fron- tl

,um hetween the two great countries is ;t-he Carpathian yet. Galicia. <mv (of her territories, iic-v on the Riiv::.ia ( i j side of the Carpathians. Had Austria I "fen a» neglectful of. or as frequently | (liveried from, preparation for frontier <<lefence as Russia, t'he Carpathians | might he a real danger. Naturally tliey j are an impediment to speedy conc'entra'-i tion along the frontier, wliile, in ease oi defeat, a. groat river, or a great ran.ee. at the. hack of an armv means that defeat may speedily become tie. struction. But the Carpathians are no longer a natural harrier. The mountains have been pierced by railways at eight different points at least. GaVc.ia, which geographically seems so exposed, whic'in once lay open invitingly to a<7gression from the westward, has become a great arnwxl camp, stocked with supplies and Munitions, equally available for the immediate invasion of Russia or the defence of Austria. The Russian Army have met and continue to uiM with success in Eastern Prussia • au.i; her troops have-also been successful in the Austrian province iff Galicia, referred to above. By a sudden aaid overwhelming blow, delivered through Belgian territory, the. French army wa.» to he enveloped by Germany on its left —their strongest position on the German frontier, with iu fortifications and natural strategical .advantages turned, and after a speedy and crushing victory, the great bulk of the troops diverted to the eastern frontiers iu time to meet the Russians. Germany hoped to meet, nut France and Russia com. bmed, but France and Russia iu succession, carrying into the campaign against the Russians all the pre&tige of victory already assured against France It is interesting to noto how completely this plan of operations -had been foreseen by General Kuropatkin, who was tor a time in commaud of the Russian urniies against Japan. What makes fh* Kussian suocess more notable Is that the strategical advantages of the eouiii.it where it has been gained six; alf with the: German a ]li 9S am j ; against Kussia. J here had been careful preparation by me. former for just such a crisis as that which has now come about