The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-12
WAR ECHOES

dispatch from Rome says, serious differences have arisen between the Kaiser and his chancellor and min ister of foreign affairs because the war found Germany and Austria isolated from the rest of Europe, the end of the fighting of the controversy.
 Assuming that those two great officers of the empire assured the Kaiser that Austria could fight Servia without m jury to Italian sensibilities and that Bel gium could be invaded without brltish action under the treaty, then chancellor and minister were sadly at fault. They misled him in way justifying resentment on the part of the>German race every where.
 But if. resolved on supporting Austria in attacking the Serbs and on the in vasion that destroyed Belgian neutrality, the Kaiser instructed his officers or state to avert by diplomacy the conse- quences of his military acts, he set them an impossible task. Certainly the handling of German foreign relations was disap- pointing at the most critical time in 40 years of German history, and to none more disappointing than to Germans resi- dent in this country used to Bismarckian diplomatic trlumphs.
 But it is too early yet to fix the re- sponsibility. To keep Italy in line with tho dreibund and dissociate England from the cause of the allies would have been too much for super Bismarck under the circumstances existing at the time or. tne war declarations.
 The foreign office seems to be held re- sponsibe for not attaining diplomatic suc- cesses which the policies of the general staff rendered impossible. Will the gen. eral staff later he held responsible for not attaining military successes which foreign office policies rendered too dif- fcult?
 The Washington Post: In the last day or two the fortunes ofswar seem to have turned against the magnificent German army. At it's full strength, outnumbering its antagonist, and apparently having Paris at it's mercy, it suddenly discovers that it's driving power is waning, while the resistance of the allies is becoming more stubborn. Almost instantly the huge wave falters, breaks and begins to ebb.
 Frantic efforts are being made by the German forces facing the great eastern forts of France to reduce them, and rescue the dashing army that pushed it's way to the gates of Paris. The allies, backed by the forts, reinforced by fresh British and French troops. are on the offensive, slowly driving back the force that recently formed the edge of the toma- hawk that was cutting it's way through France.
 junction of the German forces ought to mean the defeat of the allies. and such an outcome of the immediate struggle is not improbable. But the defeat of the allies means only slowing down of the war, not it's end. Great Britain is hurry ing troops from India through the Suez canal, from Canada and Australia while France is Norganizing it's new army Of 250,0o0 men. If the allies now in the field should be beaten, new army will rise to attack the invaders.
 Up to a week ago the supply of fresh German troops seemed to be inexhaustible. But the desperate situation in East Prus- sia calls for all available troops, if Ser lin itself is not to share the dangers of Paris. Harried by the Belgians and Brit sh forces in Belgium. the Germans must keep a sufficient force there to prevent deadly attack from the rear. There are no more long processions of troop trains and automobile transports toward the French front Evidently the German armies are at their full strength and they must fight their way to victory without German soil.
 Time is fighting on the side of the allies. Their resources of armed men are very great, and every day brings these re- sources more into play. It is necessary for the success of German arms that a decisive victory should be won without delay.
 Commercial-Appeal: War will not in- terrupt the efforts of the English and American navies in recharting the seas and oceans of the world.
 It is estimated that seven years will be required to complete the work. The world will be covered. The new charts will be invaluable. Many dangers will be avoided and navigation will be made much safer.
 It was England who first decided upon this important move. Other nations signi- fled their willingness to help in the work, but the bulk of it will be done by the naval departments of England and tile United States.
 Only few days ago naval representa- tives of Great Britain called upon Secrc- tary Daniels. The conference was brief and cordial. This government pledged i;s hearty support and will place at the dis posal of the commanding officer of the commission representatives of the United States to assist in the work.
 The ship selected for the expedition is the Discovery. This was the ship which carried Captain Scott on his ill-fated voy- age to the Antarctic ocean.
 The present voyage of exploration will cover over 25O,000 miles. Every rock. reef and island now indicated on mariners charts as doubtful will be located and pre- cisely charted. The work is to be com plete and painstaking. It will carefully revise and verify the latest charts of the sea.
 When the work is completed navigation will be made much safer It has been said that the ocean Is as safe as the land. There are, however, hidden dangers in the deep which are not seen with the Lod ava Thoao dop a TO found pd