THE WORLD WAR

NZ Truth, Issue 605, 20 January 1917, Page 8

THE WORLD WAR

Land and Water

Rasputin, the Russian

The Hindenburg Hammer.

(By "Campeador.")

Meagre and contradictory as were the cable messages during 1916, even where vast and decisive matters were accomplished, we are now informed that m the future official war news will be curtailed as far as possible. It seems that we are to be kept further m the dark, despite the obvious necessity which demands that not only should meagre details be furnished us but THE ENTIRE .TRUTH. If ever the truth should be told, the present is the opportune time. We are moving m an atmosphere of darkness, and, as the Bishop of Bathurst (N.S.W.) has said, we find ourselves worse off than at the beginning of 1916, m so far as "the balance of great achievements" is concerned. However, if it is any consolation to us, it is possible that residents m the enemy countries are about as wise as weare — which is not saying too much. In the enemy countries, however, there are trophies • and victorious soldiers exhibited from France, Belgium, Courland, Poland, Rumania, Gallipoli and Mesopotamia. What a moral effect those exhibits cause we are m a very poor way to realise out here. On the otbfcr hand, Britain's fleet is silent but supreme, and while the fleet holds the seas there is not the least need for pessimism. It Is quite time enough to fear the consequences when Britain loses just one battle at sea — ff she ever does. Despite her severe losses at sea — and they have been severe — she has not lost a battle yet. The loss of one battle at sea, unless it spelt Pyrrhic victory for the enemy, would give the German, navy its chance. Then the hour of "Britain's real peril would have arrived. Until then reasonable folk can rest assured THAT ALL IS WELL. Germany is supreme on land, Britain is supreme on sseaa — a very dangerous situation, certainly. How long will it exist? The great mystery at present to the Allies, as hinted at m official comments, and the criticisms of the war experts, from Colonel Repington to the quidnuc on the Wellington "Times," is what will Hindenburg do next? What's his little game at all? Surely it is the poorest of games indeed to inquire as to where the next blow will fall.- That is not old Von Hindenburg's , game, at any rate. He does not seem to mind where the Allies' blow will fall next; he delivers his m spite of any side attractions where he intended to deliver it. It is an ignorant policy for any writer to lecture generals and general staffs, but assuredly if advice were to be given to the Allies, It might amount to this: Deliver your blow irrespective of where the Hindenburg punch is felt. In the well-known game of boxing it is a recognised fact that the man who is always "on guard," or eager to smash every offensive without leading at all himself, is but a poor exponent of the art. It does not do to be chasing Hindenburg all . over the show to save this and that quarter, or to be too inquisitive about his next venture. .If Hindenburg Is tapping here, there is no reason why the Allies cannot get m many taps elsewhere. The Allies will have to adopt some such tactics yet to make any impression at all. One of the most awful crimes perpetrated m Russia was the murder of the monk, Rasputin. He was murdered by a Russian noble, a Romanov no less, who was assisted m the deed by a "gentleman well-known m London society!" Alas, when did the'assassin's weapon profit any. cause! Yet a section of the British press callously' declares, "that now that THE MISCHEVIOUS MONK Is removed, Russia has been relieved .from the menace of Internal collapse." Tho unlucky monk has been dubbed a pro-German and a traitor. 'Why? The reasons are not far to be soucht by anyone conversant with Russian Internal history and the history of the . Romanovs. Rasputin was no proGerman, or pro-anythlng else, except pro-Russian. He was intensely Russian; a sincere, saintly man, and — ah! It was hero they had him — ho was a Ropublican. Time and again he preached, on the "curse of the Romanovs," but he ended by experiencing the curse himself. There ore several books In our public libraries m the Dominion dealing with the "curse of the Romanovs," so "Truth's" readers can sco whac It means for themselves. Rasputin was certainly very audacious In daring io deal with such a subject from tho pulpit, and m daring to criticise the reasons for tho conduct of the war. Ho paid the penalty. But he was a sincere, saintly man, and ho loved his poor Russian people. The poor Russian people will not forget him. Hindenburg Is busily engaged yet pushing the Russians out of Moldavia, THE LAST REMNANT OF RUMANIA. Not only has the Soreth been reachod, but It has been crossed, and now it would sewn as If Russia can only face about on tho Pruth*— if she can oven do so there. Should Hindenburg succeed m completely driving tho Russian. 1 ) from Moldavia, the Russian positions m Bukowinu und Calicia will bo sor* iously imperilled. Indeed, we may road any clay now of the evacuation of the last remnunt.s of Bukowlna and Gallcla by tho Russians. Further South tho Russian situation is critical m tho extreme. The Bnilla-Galatz tingle htus passed over to iho enemy, ami the mouth of tho Danube. Thus the enemy now controls the entire DnmiDp, fifV*?rul Kood form vn the Black Sea. and further they aland on old rUis.sum territory m Dc-Hsurnbia. Tho control of the entire. Dunubo will I enable the emmy t>> ji.nsr into tho ! I'.lucK Sk'u Ktmbuntw and .-.•ulitr.arlno.'j us | fust as Kiev i«a.» laum-h them. It once ! (he lilac}: Sea inunx In- it Inisy quarter ! at pj'fit'M. ltus:;i;i lins a ftilr-ulzed ! il.;< t ttii'iv, but we fear it will hrtvo to | avail itself of the security ot tho Son ! of .\7.ut. the mruiis 10 which Russia I cf'.u <m.*u!.v hold unless then Is a. tnon- | .•ii-i; of Turkish iieiivlty i>:i v very largo i fiimW m the r.lac'.t Sea. Turkey h&x t-ui,!" ;{ot.<! 'it'iui>..r)-.t)ir»< t »> r t yet. Til'? UiJick S**n im-rmre niu.l tho i enemy ;>ior.ro;<3 via GaUitx may be | ditvotf.l ifiwardii cjijejrsui, UnlcKa, i jjowi-wr. HimU'itimiK m out this time 1 m «'!>ti«uvt>r \n k\vh Ku.Htfla a. death* j iiiyw. further proKre.-**) than th 6 Pruth ; mny not ivy nttcmjnod. J3ut tho fact ! ujm Htmlenburg control? tho Danubo ! inoutn, ami, tui a result, much of the i uiacic Sou eventually, would se«ro to

Indicate that the enemy offensive will not come to a standstill utvlosa Franco and Britain can do something. FRANCE AND BRITAIN CAN DO NOTHING FOR RUSSIA In tho East, and as for Sarrftil In Greece, his position Is of no menace to anyone but himself. Greece has nor mind made up. Rumania m gone, and Sorrall con do nothing bettor than shako the unkind dust of Greoco off his feeL Britain and France can do nothlns except launch a terrific offensive m tho West, tactics, of course, that tho enomy are prepared for. Hence, Russia must depend on herself, and for once Hindonburg has Russia ail to himself to deal with. Tho enemy press hint that Hindenburg may succeed where Napoleon failed. If tho hint is aoriously Intended we can tako It for Kranted that a decisive blow for Russia is the card up Hindenburg's sleeve. He has hla opponents on the run; that much is apparent. Ho is not going to cry halt until he i« compelled to. Henco It is very possible that tho sight of the waters of tho Pruth may not satisfy mndenburK*. ho may like to urns tho D»l<>Ht<>\ And if he doo« boo the iinleKtfir. Odossa is gone. It Is ft mistake to nay Unit the farther Into Russia i!u> (winy marches, the more dnngeroux liocomoH his position. Nothing of tho kind. Conditions aro r«v*r«o«l since Bonaparte's days. Tho enemy is well supplied with railways, and on every front ho holds tho inner line. Klght m the contro of the va«i Inner line Is Berlin, and from Borlin to Constantinople) tho enomy and hin allies arc fighting hand -in-hand and back to buck art conditions* warrant. Tho rallroadß are tho greatest aeaet the enemy ponsesn. Hence an Invasion of Hus'ulu proper by the Germans cannot bo compared to NAPOLEON'S WILD EFFORT. From tho Gulf of Riga to the Block S4&, the «nocny lino stand* <m * vsurt

semi-circle, tho ends of which rost on the sea m each case. The enemy Is not so mad as to dream of over-run-ning Russia. That cannot be accomplished la any cose. And nothing would bo gained by accomplishing it, even if the thing could bo done. If Russia loses control of tho Black Sea, as she has lost tho Baltic, an invasion of Russia as far as tho Dniester might tempt Hlndenburg. However, it is well to learn what happons In Galicla and Bukowina m tho first place, that is, of course, if ''tho curtailed cable messages" will allow us to learn anything. Russia, unluckily, could not hold her chance In Rumania, and after such a lamentable loss, it should not be too difficult for anyono to realise, tho gravity of the situation. Russia is making a heroio effort on the Riga sectors. ____^_ m^_ ii _ i _^_____