NOTES ON THE WAR CABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17084, 16 August 1917, Page 5

NOTES ON THE WAR CABLES.

By Shrapnel. THE RUSSO-RUMANIAN FRONT. Of nowe of operations on the west front thero beyond a report of raids and a moagro roferenco to artillery activity on tho *prus front, thero is an absolute dearth. Moreover, 110 further details of lighting have been received from tho ltussuRumanian front. Yet, stern fighting must bo in progress in Moldavia, ajid in view of what is known of tho jirejiarations made by Marshal von Maokensen, and Ln view, also, of tho elements of uncertainty that still exist with regard to tho Russian fortes and their ro-orgunisation and supplies, it would not bo safe to say that no news is good news. Germany does not, however, leave tho world long in the dark when her armies accomplish • anything of note, and the absence of a German report leaves one in doubt whother the Austro-Germans are now held up or whether Maokensen has halted on tlie present favourable position to organise his forces for an overwhelming rush. 'Iho methods of Maokensen are such that 110 rest for the Russo-Rumanians can bo expected, unless tliey gain it by valorous achievements. Without great reinforcements Maokensen cannot push liig armies far across Eastern Moldavia. There aro so many parallel rivers to cross, every one of whioh offers a good defensible line, that even inferior forces, well handled, could mako his advance terribly costly. As tho country eastward of the Sereth is flat, and tho ground at this time of the year is hard and dry, tho British and Belgian armoured cars, under Commander Locker Lampson, would have a series of field days in checking the rash rushing movements which aro characteristic of the enemy on the Russian fronts. Armoured cars did so well for the Russian armies when they wero disorganised by the defection of certain rebellious units that it is fair to assume that General Korniloff has mado every effort to increase tho number at Iris disposal. If it is true that Marshal Maokensen has taken Marasisti and obtained possession' of the western end of tho small loop lino connecting that town with Teduci, ho has mado tho Sereth trunk line comparatively useless to the Russo-Rumanians, for the connections with tho Berlad lateral railway to the east side of Moldavia are in the hands of the Austro-Germans. Nevertheless, by means of horse vehicles and motors, with which Russia was well provided at the beginning of the war, tho Russo-Rumanians can still keep their forces west of the Sereth well, supplied with munitions, if they have them—and reports have had it that prior to tho revolution Russia had large stocks of munitions, which, however, the traitorous authorities either withheld from the fronts or elso sent where they were not required. As the Galician and Bessarabian fronts aro seriously menaced, tho Russian General Staff will have re-organised their supply service, and will have sent every available gun and shell to those fronts; and thero is still a chance, therefore, that with good generalship the enemy may yet be held up on tho Sereth line, though they may lose the railway. Unfortunately, however, when tho Russo-Rumanians are strong enough to take tho offensive, tho railway lines west of the Sereth. being in the hands of tho enemy, will givo them a very great advantage over tho Allies. The enemy will have the "inside running," and it will bo muoh more difficult for tho RussoRumanians to re-cross the Sereth than it would bo for tho enemy to strike across it into Eastern Moldavia. Once across the river, on the other hand, with largo and well-equipped forces, tho Russo-Rumanians would bo enabled to attack tho enemy far from their bases of supply in Austria and Germany. There is, consequently, still a prospect of the. Russians achieving great victories, and certainly, if "Russia recovers her spirit and determination, a greater' chance of beating Austria than there ever was, for Austria was never weaker than she is at present. She appears strong under German guidance, but only by comparison with disorganised Russia. THE DECLINING MARK. Tho refusal of the Dutch to deliver to Germany millions of eggs that have reached the frontier is significant when read in conjunction with the statement that German buyers in Switzerland informed the Swiss traders that they could not operate unless tho Swiss would accept payment in marks after poace had been declared'. There is plenty of gold in Germany held both by tho Government and by the great banking institutions, and if Germany were convinced she could win the war she would not hesitate to spend her gold in the prospect of being able to levy great indemnities which she would mercilessly extract from tho conquered. Now that the prospect of defeat is before her sho is working tho diplomatic campaign of "no annexations and no indemnities" for all it is worth amongst the Socialists and pacifists of all neutral belligerent countries. If she could succeed in effecting peace on that basis—tho "status quo ante" basis—under which she would recover her lost colonies, and the guilty plotters of tho ruthless slaying of millions of men would escape punishment, she would have cause to congratulate herself. Through the intervention of the Pope, Germany hopes to break the resolution of Allies and to spare herself tho ruin which 1918 will bring upon her. She relies upon hex ability, by some means or other to outwit the Allies before tho end of this year. Sho may put forward before them some seductive peace proposals which may lead to negotiations. In view of the possible compliance of tho Allies, she desires to retain all the gold she has for commercial competition as soon as poace is signed.