The Detroit times., 1914-12-31

became irresistible as the advance OF
the main campaign gathered so ter
rihc an impetus in northern France.
The French armies were compelled
10 abandon the lost provinces precipi-
lately TO save themselves and 20 de-
fend Paris.
The Russian Campaign
Nearly four months later. they re.
turned TO Alsace and are I'm posses
sion OF the northern districts as the
year closes. Lorraine Is still held
wholly by the Germans. They fol.
lowed the retreating French 10 the
frontier line OF the Meuse forts, after
the early Lorraine defeat. but have
been unable TO push their way
through the eastern defenses. At the
close of the year. the German hold
In the Meuse area about corresponds
with the French grip on southern Al
SAGE.
The Russian campaign has been
more unfortunate for the Slavs than
has the western fighting for the czar,s
allies. Primarily, this is due 10 the
fact that the one military genius the
war has developed Is pitted against
the Russians. IL any one man has
saved Germany. he is Field Marshal
Won Benckendorff Und Won linden
burg. With greatly inferior forces.
he has dominated the strategic and
tactical situations in the east almost
at will The difficulties OF the coun-
try, the lack OF Polish railroads and
highways and the great distances
over which the Russians we're able TO
spread their troops, have made the
eastern fighting quite different to the
methods employed in the west.
Mobility has been his principal
weapon In the remarkable series of
battles he has won.
Austria Ineffective.
Yet, remarkable as has been the
ability displayed by the German com
manded-in-chief. indecision is as dom
inant In the east as In the west. A
different tale would have been told
II Austria had proven herself as eff
cient as Germany. But the Austrians
have not shown either the leadership
or the individual prowess OF their
allies. AS the Germans have beaten
the Russians so have the Slavs de-
feated the Austrians Only when the
Austrians armies have been strength.
ened by German support, have they
peen successful Left to themselves,
they have weakened more than any
other troops engaged in the mighty
conflict.
Most of Galicia has been lost to
them; they have been ignominiously
overwhelmed by little Seryia: and the
last day OF the year finds them har.
ried amid the Carpathian mountains,
trying to prevent the Russians from
invading Hungary in force. The in
efflclency OF the Austrians has caused
public rebukes on three occasions to
be administered TO Vienna In German
Official reports. How Berlin's attitude
or impatience will affect the Austrian
situation is one of the most serious
problems facing the new year.
AS 1914 closes, the pot pourri of
races contained within the Hapsburp
empire, Is showing dissatisfaction with
the war. Hungary in particular is de-
veioping critical attitude, little short
or menacing. The possibility OF de
telmining eastern assistance to the
allied cause, coming from a successful
Russian campaign I'm Hungary, shows
how the i've months fighting has
changed detectives,
When the war began, Russia's part
In the Joint campaign was to occup,
Berlin. That objective has passed into
land Of dreams and Buda Pest has
been substituted as the new year
opens.
On the seas there have been numer
Gus distinctions of minor craft and ar
occasional capital ship has been sent
to the bottom. But, the dominating
fact OF Great Britain's command OF
the water has in no way been disturb.
ed. Instances of personal daring, OF
individual luck and ill-luck, OF isolated
and chance disaster, have been abund-
ant, but they have played no part In
robbing the allies of the tremendous
advantage Of their sea power. The
trade routee OF the ocean were closed
to Germany and Austria when the war
began and were continued open for
the benefit OF the allies. The end of
the year sees no change in its fact
which, if continued, as Ii doubtless
will be, bids fair TO become the de-
cause of peace.