Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-27
Duration Of War.

The question every one is seriously dis
cussinK now. with every determination &c
see this thing through to the end at any
cost is how long the war is going &c
last. Estimates vary from three months
to three years, but little reliance can Dc
placed on most of these representations
The story about Lord Kitchener commit
ting himself to any OPINION on tle SUI
ject at this stage, with the aosuro nus
calculations of the Boer war sui Iresr
in mind. NAV be dismissed as very sinai
possin indeed The most that can be
done at PRESENT Is to weigh the proDa-
bilities intelligently.
First, it may be taken as certain that
the Franco British allies within montn
will have effectually cleared every ocean
except possibly the North sea round the
two exits from the Baltic. This will in
sure absolute freedom of commerce and
supplies. and enable the British Empire
to display the familiar sign: Business as
usual" The land campaign is more I'M
certain. But Germany has always plan
ned on no more than six months cam.
paign She must feel the paralysis Oh
her trade and commerce far more than
anybody else
The sea strangulation to which she has
been subjected is one factor that may
drive her fleet into main action. a
very well informed opinion is that, as,
Stunning that she is beaten at sea anu
repuised on land, internal troubles VIII
before Christmas force her to sue 1oi
peace But that peace will have to DC
lasting on some better and more matena
guarantee than any mere treaty.
Although thousands Of Londoners are
still by the seaside the war has naturally
brought yachting, motor boating and eA'
cursion traffic practically to standstlii
The yachtsman and the marine motors,
have not however given up because OF
fear of enemy's ships. but simply De,
cause the defensive preparations al
round the coast have SO restricted thelI
movements as to make it hardly worth
while to get under way.
Motor Boats in Plenty.
AS for the motor boats, although they
are in port they are not out of commits.
sion. The owners have a notion that
the country may have need of their serv-
ices later on. The admiralty know, OF
course. exactly how many motor craft
are available. for departmental COM
mittee which is sitting has gone into
the matter. But it is not to be account
ed an unhealthy sign that SO far the adj
miralty apparently deem the existing pro-
V1SlOnS 1OT u6lcIlSo W DS QdiIC eSASdo0SS
One of the minor consequences of the
war, SO far as London is concerned. is
the growing shortage of horses. The
bakers and milkmen are feeling this
shortage rather keenly. and 1t Is sug-
gested that owners Of motors should lend
their cars to assist in the distribution OF
provisions. This suggestion has been re-
sponded to. Already the automobile as
ISOLATION has offered 10000 motor cars to
the war office. and 1t has become an
everyday sight in London to see the
owners Of motors whose chauffeurs have
been called to the colors taking their
place at the wheel and driving khaki
clad officers about the streets.
There is general satisfaction at the
steady abatement of the food panic. and
people who have bought large supplies OF
provisions have been made to feel rather
ashamed of themselves.
Herr Ballin's Efforts.
A page that has escaped attention in
the fateful history of the last fortnight
was the effort of Herr BALM, the chief
of German shipping and the personal
friend of the kaiser, to avert war. He