The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1915. THE WAR.

Southland Times, Issue 17469, 25 March 1915, Page 4

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1915. THE WAR.

The war news continues to he very satisfactory in character. The opinions attributed to Sir John French with regard to the duration of the war and the opening phases of the Spring campaign are very encouraging. Sir John French, like any other commander, grants an interview with a purpose, and the Field-Marshal's objects are plain enough. He wishes to drive home the appeal made by Kitchener and Mr Lloyd George for munitions and more munitions," and he also wishes to say a word that will

Influence neutrals -who arc perhaps hesitating to take the decisive step. Any German commander interviewed at the present time would say that the German armies are about to crown their efforts with success, but that they must have guns and ammunition. However, w r e know that Sir John French is not speaking merely to keep up the spirits of the people or to inspire confidence in wavering neutrals, and we may take it that the French and British leaders feel that the Spring will give them command of the situation acd enable them to force Germany to sue to- peace and to accept the Allies terms. There is no news of new developments on the Western front, except that the Germans are reported to be massing troops and artillery on the Yser preparatory to an attack. There is another report that German troops are being withdrawn from Bruges and Ghent and added to the Antwerp garrison, the assumption being that if the enemy is forced to retire no serious attempt will be made to hold the open towns west of Brussels. Whether a big battle is imminent on the Yser remains to be seen, but it is certain that the Germans will make an attempt to regain the offensive. They are compelled to do something, and they will make a tremendous effort to turn the tide. The Daily Mall estimates that between them Germany and Austria have still 6,000,000 men .available, and there is no doubt that it will be both difficult and costly to drive the enemy from France and Belgium. Neuve Chapelle was a foretaste of the straggle. We have not been told what figure the casualties there touched, except among the officers, but it has been calculated that it the losses in the ranks were in the usual proportion to casualties among the officers nearly 8000 men were lost. There will be calamitous casualty lists when the struggle reaches the full pitch of intensity, but though the Allies will be the attackers there Is reason to hope that their losses will be -lighter than the enemy’s. “Eyewitness’ tells us that given a sufficient number of guns the attackers can succeed with smaller losses than they inflict upon the defenders. France, Britain and Russia together are able to make guns and ammunition faster than Germany, and they have inexhaustible sources of supplies of raw materials, while the enemy's supplies are steadily shrinking. There is bard and sanguinary fighting ahead, but there is reason to hope that the military leaders are beginning to see light through the fog of war. There is not a great deal of new'S from Russia, but what there is is favourable. Vienna claims some success in the Carpathian passes, but Vienna reports have not established a reputation for veracity. There is one curious statement in a Petrograd telegram. It is that the “detachment” which “reconnoitred” Memel has retired to Russia. Does this mean that Memel was never really occupied in force? If so the cables have been entirely misleading. Another attack has been made on the Suez Canal. The force engaged was small, and it attacked on the east bank opposite Suez. A British force met it, defeated it, and it is in full retreat. There are circumstantial reports that the officers of the expedition are drifting back to Constantinople, and Mr Marlin Donohoe. whose information has proved very reliable, gives a graphic account of the retreat of the main body, disorganised, disordered, and disheartened. On the other hand the Turkish commander announces that the Canal will be attacked and that he hopes soon to bo in Cairo —a statement which is the veriest “hot air.” There is no further report from the Dardanelles, except that the forts at Kilid Bahr and Chanak, on either side of the, Narrows, are still able to resist and are assisted by powerful mobile batteries. Evidently the bombardment is in progress. The progress of the operations in the Dardanelles will necessarily have an important effect upon the enemy's designs against Egypt. General Botha has got. to grips will) flic enemy in German South West Africa, and has won the opening moves. The compicst of the German colony is a big undertaking for the Union, but Botha is the man to carry it through. South Africa, lias already lost a good many more men than any other dominion. Sir Thomas Upton, who has visited Servia. describes the pitiful condition of that sorely tried country, tvhich has suffered almost as badly as Belgium and displayed as much fortitude and heroism. The people are impoverished, reduced to extremities hy the enormous exertions a,nd losses of w r ar, and hunger and disease are working havoc. The Servians have a, claim upon tho world.