The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-24
WAR ECHOES

Cleveland Plain Dealer: General Potiorek captured Belgrade, and sent a grand message to the aged Franz Josef about it. Belgrade was Potiorek's s gift to the Emperor on his coronation anniver- sary. It was gracious of Potiorek and the sovereign was touched. He ordered 1 that the very highest military honors be bestowed on Potorek
 Potiorek also announced that he would advance rapidly through seryia and cap ture Nish within three weeks This would practically mark the end of the Servian nation.
 Some such achievement as this was de- voutly desired by Franz Josef If one analyses the great European war it be- comes immediately apparent that Aus tria's attack on Servia was what caused it all. The Servian capital, located dan gerously right on the Austrian frontier vas bombarded steadily for four months before it capitulated. This was no favor able advertisement of Austrian prowess. Neither was 1t altogether pleasing to have to fight the Servans Austrian soil. The taking of Belgrade was pleas ant; the promises of Potiorek were more pleasant. Small wonder that Franz Josef handed out the honors with lavish gen erosity.
 And then, almost before the decora- tions had been pinned on Potiorek's chest, came that amazing defeat and retreat. The Austrians departed from Servia far more rapidly than they had entered. A great many were not able to depart at all. Multitudes found graves in King Peters soil. Belgrade was retaptured by it's rightful masters.
 The story has 1t that Franz Josef yielded to paroxysms of lxingy rage when the extent of the disaster became known to him. The story may not be true, but 1t does show Franz Josef in very human light. It is bad enough to have your whom you have rejoiced to reward with highest honors proves himself a bombas- tic humburg your grief and modification turn to very commonplace anger.
 Potiorek's premature greatness has been taken from him. He is disgraced, re- moved from command. No one will hear of Potiorek any more. Up to date he is the one and only great failure of the war His fall would not have been so bitter had his brag been less immoderate. He has become the prime scapegoat, and the distinction is largely of his own mak- ing.
 St Louis Post-Dispatch: Shoot the swine' King George is reported to have remarked when asked what would be done with General De Wet should be be captured. It is a most indiscreet ut terance for a King to make, assuming that George said it. It is about the same sort of remark George III might have made of Washington.
 De Wet is not of British ancestry. His fault was that he thought more of South Africa than he did of the British con neetion of doubtful value. There is not the slightest question that that great country, under the political independence which develops national self-reliance and resourcefulness, would have far greater future than under an anomalous status which ties it to London, causes it to look for initiative to a capital thousands of miles away and involves it, as it is at present, in European complications in which it has no concern.
 To to the ideal of free and independent South Africa this leader of men was prepared to add to the tremendous sacri- fices he made 10 years ago. The crown of martyrdom was all that was needed to make him South Africa's great hero, greater than Kruger greater than Jouberr, greater than Botha We cannot doubt that the time will come when his ideal Of free and independent republic will prevail with his countrymen, and when the opportune time comes his name will be the inspiration of the patriotic move- ment.
 In the meantime he can accept what ever fate is in store for him with resigna- tion and the consciousness that history has reserved for him higher place than George V will ever occupy.