The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-04
Austria Hungary's Ultimate Fate

The occupation of Belgrade by Aus trian troops was not surprising to close observers of that section of the war field. The Servians started out with bold front. They fought desper- atelv for a time but the Austrians were making better progress on the offensive in Servia than the world at large imagined. The little Slavic king dom becoming exhausted its proud capital was evacuated and Austria Hungary in entering the enemy's stronghold is now credited with an inn portant achievement. It is, as mat ter of fact, very important achieve ment. But it was time for Emperor Francis Joseph's army to do something decisive, for it has done comparatively little in fighting back the Russians.
 Germany counted on Austria Hun gary to protect East Prussia's iron tier line, but it proved to be miser- able dependence. Germany has had to do most of the real fighting. The fall of Belgrade will have naturally the effect of reviving, to some extent at least, spirit in the rank and file throughout the confines of the dual monarchy. But in the long run the Kaiser's men will have to win what ever battles are lost by the allies.
 In this connection one of the most striking articles in the last issue of the Nineteenth Century is entitled, "The Ultimate Disappearance of Aus tria- Hungary" It is by Ellis Barker, and although his name may not be as we'll known to the public as are many of the essayists and publicists of England, the fact that his article has a prominent place in great review is sufficient to give character to what he has to say. MT. Barker thinks that the dual monarchy must go. In intro ducing his discussion he says:
 "The war, as far as the land cam paign is concerned, may end in three different ways. It may end in the victory of Germany and of Austria Hungary, it may lead to the exhaus- tion of the land powers engaged in it, and may thus remain undecided, or 1t may result in the defeat of Germany and Austria Hungary. In each of these eventualities, the question as to the position and future of the dual mon- archy will be of the very greatest in- terest and importance not only to all Europe but to the world"
 This English writer then goes on to say that the war has yielded two- fold surprise to all who are interested in military affairs. The Germans have fought "far better and the Austrians infinitely worse than was generally expected" The forces of France, Rus sia, Great Britain and Belgium com bined have not yet succeeded in driv- ing the Germans back within their own frontiers. The Austrians on the other hand, it is pointed out, have tut terly collapsed" In comparing Aus tria's weakness with Germany's strength MT. Barker says that Austria has suffered at the hands of Russia the most disastrous defeat in her his tory, "a defeat compared with whicf her defeat at Koniggratz and France'' defeat at Sedan are unimportant."
 The relations between Austria Hun gary and Germany will never resem ble those which existed before thu war. "Austria's independence is , thing of the past" says MT. Barker ~She is at present German vassal.
 The allies will in all probability sue ceed in defeating Germany, but Bar ksr, Epglishman though he be, has il mind . possibility of German victory He says that should Germany be vic torious in the war on land, or shoul' the campaign on land be undecided Am~xr<a vuou1ld eontinua to ba q Ger