New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
Political and Military Developments
of the Great War.


Montenegro gave the Austro-Hungarian Minister
his passports and threw in her lot with Servia
n is only two weeks ago that the Austro-Hmi'
csrian Minister left Belgrade thus advertising the
existence Of war between the Dual Monarchy and
Sor,ia. II is only week since Germany declared
war On Russia and began hostile operations against
France. Yet already Germany and Austria-Hun-
gary are involved in war with Russia, France
Great Britain. Belgium Portugal servia and Mon
t,perro. The Triple Alliance has been dissolved
los ltalys refusal to go TO the aid of Germany and
Austria.Hungary. Greece and Rumania, which are
i'm am alliance with Serva and Montenegro. are
likely soon to join in the fight against Austria
Hungary in order to put in claims for spois in
case the Dual Monarchy is broken up.
Portugal may not give the Triple Entente ma
t,ral assistance She is weak in military sense
ali distant from the theatre of war. Montenegros
cfi,,l is much more threatening 1t indicates that
the line is ripe for joint Seryian and Monte
r,-.in invasion Of Bosnia and Herzegovina, con-
Siderable percentage Of whose population is Serb
and hostile 10 the Vienna government. 1t is not
probable that Austria Hungary will feel strong
cnu.h TO maintain al invasion of Servia. All the
troon5 which can be spared for operations TO the
south will be needed TO hold Bosnia and Here
r.,i 2. 10 garrison the disafected Italian prov
ipccs and observe Italy, and to defend Southern
IIur.ary against the Servians and possibly Ru-
man ans.
Greece is evidently waiting for the safe arrival
of the two battleshps recently purchased from the
Uni.ed States With these she overawe Tur-
k,y. whose new batteships, nearing completion in
Great Britain, have been commandment by the
British government With Greece in full control
IN he Egean Sea. her participation in the war
s.ainst Austria Hungary would not be bindered
by fear Of a hostile movement on Turkeys part.
Turkey will probably remain quiescent. She would
have difficulty in helping Austria Hungary and
Germany on land and could not hold CONSTANT
noble against the attacks of Russia and Great
Britain
The diplomatic developments of the last week
hive therefore weakened ria-Hungary as mucn
Germany in Western Europe.
When the attack on Servia was made the Austro-
hungarian army was just in the process of reor
ganization The peace footing strength of the bat
lions was being increased some by 40 men
each and some by "A men each. According to
Major L. Moraht, we'll known military expert
writing on the Austrian army in the "Berliner
gageblatt' Of July - this change, which was to
20 into full effect next fall will necessarily hinder
the Austro- Hungarian mobilization The Dual
Monarchy has now under arms $4,000 men and
1900 officers on peace footing, but Major
Noraht admits some of the troops are for political
reasons not very available for use on the southera
frontier.
This disability will increase if Russia and the
Balkan states begin campaigning in Austrian terri
tory. The Austro- Hungarian army on a war foot
ing numbers about 100000 men. But these are
drawn from many races. of different languages
and interests. and the spirit Of common nationality
is lacking through which alone unity is infused
into an army raised by popular levy.
In less than two weeks Austria Hungary in
stead Of engaging in punitive expedition into
serva. is called upon to defend its own territorial
integrity and its existence as conglomerate en-
pre
On the military side the Developments of last
week have also been favorable TO the Triple En-
tente powers Quick success in its attack on France
was indispensable TO German strategy Hence the
costly attempt TO make Belgium the base of Ger
man operations against Paris. The tenacity of the
Belgian defence Of Liege has checked the German
invasion The plans Of the Berlin War Office have
been disclosed and France and Great Britain have
been able to collect troops with which TO reinforce
the Belgans aud TO keep the fighting close to Ger
nianys most exposed frontier.
Great Britain has landed 1900 men on the Cou
tnent and will probably be able to send that many
more across the Channel within the next few days
French Belgian aud British army will be col
lected on Belgian SOIL and If It IL not disposed 0.
Will menace the right flank Of German armie,
operating through Luxembourg and on the Franco
German border The most vulnerable part Of fine