NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15801, 26 December 1914, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

CRACOW FORTIFICATIONS.

In the eastern theatre of war the colossal fortress of Cracow is attracting the attention of all the strategists of the world. The importance of this strategic point is held by some war correspondents to have explained the recent German diversion in Poland. It is clear that this first-class fortress presents in itself the only binding point between the German and Austrian armies on the one hand, while on the other hand the Russians could not have freedom for further operations against Germany until the Russian flag was hoisted over its forts. Cracow bars the main routes which lead round the Carpathians. It dominates all other routes, and defends the crossings over the Vistula, and at the same time forms a base for an active defence of the Carpathians. Besides, here lies the junction of a network of railways from the fortified region of Warsaw towards Vienna and Hungary. The forts of Cracow are situated on both banks of tho Vistula and the centre of the fortress'is only seven miles from the Russian frontier, so that the guns of the forts situated on the left bank of the Vistula can be trained on Russian territory. Tho forts and fortifications are in three rings. The first, the outer ring, consists of 48 forts, 15 of which are of modern profile, and extend in a semi-circle for 30 miles. The centre of tho fortress is formed by a railway bridge over the Vistula on the line Cracow-Podgorzhe-Plazow, and is from four to five and a-half miles from the forts of the outer ring. The distance between the forts varies from two and three-quarters to five and a-half miles. On the left band of the Vistula 36 field fortifications are situated, of which only 11 are of modern type. On the right bank of the Vistula there are 13 fortifications, of which only four are strongly armed modern forts. The second inner line of fortifications lies in a semi-circle, with a radius of from one and three-quarters to two and a-quarter miles, and extends for 13 miles, with intervals of from two-thirds to one mile. This line encircles both parts of the city, the old as well as the new one, and consists of 23 fortifications, of which only four are strong modern forts. The third line, which also encircles both parts of the city, is a polygon, with a perimeter of seven miles and a radius of from one to one and a-quarter mile. This line is a continuous wall with 11 fortifications, five of which are forts. Four of the latter are situated on the left bank of the Vistula, and one on the right. Inside this wall on the high left bank of the Vistula rises the old I "bel Tower, which dominates the distinct and forms the citadel of the fortress. This last line of fortifications is strengthen' by weirs and locks, which may be opened to flood the surrounding district. In front of the forts a line of field works is constructed with intermediate batteries. The garrison of the fortress, according to the latest recon naissance, consists of 50,000 men, supported by a squadron of 12 aeroplanes of the Ettrich and Taube types.

• "THE LAST MAN." if the war should come down to "the last shilling and the last man"—Mr. Fisher's promise on behalf of Australiahow many men would be available to fight ? The following table includes men from 18 to 60 years of age. Taking white races only, the male population, medic ally fit, of each country is as follows:Great Britain, 10,080,000; South Africa, 321,000; Canada, 1,7?5,00'v Australia, 1,098,000; New Zealand, 2&>,000; total British Empire, 13,550,000; Franc-, 9,072,000; Belgium, 1,692,000; Kua.'.n ,' Europe), 29,760,000- Servia, 5(;5,0tU This gives for ali the allies a grand total of possible combatants of 54,579,000. In the enemy countries the possible military populations are-.—Germany, 14,0"8,000, Austria - Hungary. 10,328,000; Turkey (Europe), £20,000. The grand total for the enesjjy is 24,826.000. Jt is, of course, inconceivable that 'he last man should ever come into war. But the difference between 54,000,000 and 24,000,000 represents in some degree the " mathematical " balance of odds in favour of the allies in a fight to a finish