The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-31
What War MOOeS Mean
By J. W. T. MASON.

advantage to the Germans, which
became irresistible as the advance o.
the main German campaign gather
ed so terrific an impetus in northern
France. The French armies were
compelled to abandon the lost prov.
inces precipitately TO save them
selves and 10 defend Paris. Nearly
four months later they returned 10
Alsace and are in possession OF the
northern districts az the year closes.
Lorraine is still held wholly by the
Germans. They followed the re-
treating French to the frontier line
of the Meuse forts after the early
Lorraine defeat, but have been I'M
able TO push their way through the
eastern defenses. At the close Of
the year. the German hold in the
Meuse area about corresponds with
tle French grip on southern Alsace.
The Russian campaign has hsen
more unfortunate for the Slavs than
mas the western fighting for the
EARS allies. Primarily. this Is due
10 the fact that the one military
genus the war has developed is
pltted against the Russians. II any
one man has saved Germany. he IS
Fleld Marshal Won Benckendorff und
Won Hindenburg. With greatly in
terior sorces, he has dominated the
strategic and tactical situations in
the cast almost at will. The diff
culues of the country the tack of
Polish railroads, and highways and
the great distances over which the
Russians were able to spread their
troops have made the eastern fight
ing quite different to the methods
employed in the west. Mobility. not
entrenching. has been the chief
prooIem Won HindenourG has had
10 solve. and because he has solved
1t, mobility has been his principal
weapon in the remarkable series or
battles he has won.
Indecision In East, Too.
Yet. remarkable as has been the
ability displayed by the German
commander-in-chief. indecision is Is
dominant IN the cast as in the west.
A different tale could have been told
If Austria had proven herself as
efficient as Germany. But the Aus
TRANS have not shown either the
leadership or the individual prowess
of their allies. As the Germans
have beaten the Russians. so have
the Slays defeated the Austrians.
Only when the Austrian armies have
been strengthened by German sup
port have they been successful Left
10 themselves. they have weakened
more than any other troops engaged
-. N'At COilflCL.
Most of GaIicia has been lost TO
them: they have been ANONYMOUSLY
overwhelmed by little Servia; and
the last day of the year finds them
harried amid the Carpathian noun
tains, trying to prevent the Russians
from invading Hungary in force
The inefficiency of the Austrians has
caused public rebuRes on three oc-
casions to be administered to Vienna
in German official reports. How
Berlin's attitude of impatience will
affect the Austrian situation is one of
the most serious Hoblems facing the
new year.
As 1914 closes. the potpourri Of
races contained within the Eaps-
burg empire is showing dissatisfac-
ton With the war. Hungary. in par
ticular. Is developing critical atti-
tude. little short of menscing. The
possibility of determining eastern
assistance 10 the allied cause COM
Ing from a successful Russian cam
paiSn in Hungary shows how the
five months lighting has changed
detectives.
When the war began. Russia's
part in the joint campaign was to
occupy Berlin. That objective has
passed into the land OF dreams. and
budapest has been substituted as
the new year opens.
No Change On the Seas.
On the seas there have been nu-
merous distinctions of minor craft.
and an 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
heen disturbed Instances of personal
daring. of individual luck and ILL
luck of isolated and chance fIiSas
ter. have been abundant. but they
have played no part in robblng the
allies OF the tremendous advantages
of their superior sea power. The
trade routes 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 this fact, which. II continued. as
il doubtless will be. bids fair to be-
come the determining cause Of
peace.