“If War Came.”

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 25, Issue 41, 29 May 1914, Page 2

“If War Came.”

"You must either move on or move off !” This was the intimation conveyed to Turkey by the first shot in the Balkan war, and represented the demand of modern progress in the lethargic Turk. This was a lesson particularly necessary for Australia to heed. In these terms Capt. G. A. Taylor (Australian Intelligence Corps l ) began a lecture recently on "If War Came : What the Balkan Battles Teach Australia.-” The aeroplane, said Capt. Taylor, proved itself a most efficient weapon of offence, and for reconnaissance purposes, and justified its inclusion in every military -operation. The lecturer declared that Australia should note the following lessons from the Balkan war :—(1) Turkey, like Australia, presented the disadvantage of being attacked at various points. Turkey* attempted to defend all of them, instead of concentrating to deliver the enemy a crushing blow, as Australia would have to do, if war came ; (2) the lesson that it is a serious disadvantage to he short of mounted troops, to follow up such advantages as

were presented at Lule Burgas, when, owing to the Turkish debacle, a dash on Constantinople would have been possible ; (3) the wonderful advantages of aerial attack and reconnaissance presented by the aeroplane. To Australia, particularly, should the aeroplane appeal. Today two aeroplanes • are in Sydney. A station will be established shortly. It is hoped that at least six stations will be established at once, each equipped with six aeroplanes, spares, and constructing sheds at Port Darwin, Thursday Island, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Fremantle ; (4) the necessity for good roads. The Turk was handicapped by the bad, unmetalled roads seriously delaying the supplies of food, ammunition, and, above all, army reinforcements. In Australia there is ah institute, which, he had the

honour of founding, the Local Government Engineers of Australasia. It comprises the men who build the roads (when money is available), and these men of the institute are not only making the roads, but also supplying the intelligence corps with topographical maps of the country those roads traverse. It has sent a representative to the International Hoads Congress, at Paris, to study road-building for Australia ; (5) the lesson that railways should lie kept up to date, and lines built for strategical purposes. Turkey had long proposed to duplicate her main line, and connect it with a direct line to the Sea of Marmora, for Asiatic reinforcements. She didn’t bother. There is a lino that is wanted in. Australia, and would he wanted badly if war came.