Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-08-05
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5. 1914
THE WAR TO DATE.

va sH-2
Germany by Great Britain brings into
armed conflict all of the six great
European nations except Italy. On
the n side are Austria-Hungarv and
Germany, and on the other Russia,
France n Great Britain, with servia
and Montenegro doing what they can
to stay the march of the Austrians
through their territory at home.
The entrance of Great Britain into
the fight was a %foregone conclusion.
Aside from her treaty obligations to
France and Russia, the violation of
Belgian neutrality by Germany must
certainly have cauesd England to as
sumo the offensive, for the turning of
Belgium into a thoroughfare for the
passage Of German armies into
France would have carried with it
control of the Belgian coast and OF
safety which England would naturally
be inclined to resist.
The invasion of France by a Ger
man army Is not an easy thing. Only
for a comparatively short distance do
the northern French and southern
German boundaries coincide. To the
east lies Switzerland, with its impas-
sable mountains and a people who
would resist to the last drop Of their
blood the entrance of a foreign army
into their territory. To the west lie
Luxembourg and Belgium. In between
is the line along which German and
French territory touch for some 200
miles. On the north, or German side
Of this line is the territory which, prior
to 1870, constituted the French prov
inces of Alsace n Lorraine, but
which fell to Germany as spoils of
war, and through which the German
government has striven continuously
for forty years, by royal edict and
force of arms to introduce the Ger
man customs and German spirit, with
out, apparently changing one whit the
French spirit and French sympathies
of the Inhabitants. On the French
side that bit Of frontier is said to be
the best fortified two hundred miles
in Europe. browning fortresses guard
the line, and each advanced position
is supported by one still stronger far
ther back, with the key to the whole
situation at Paris.
Formidable as these defenses are,
and vastly superior to anything in
existence when the Prussians ravaged
h a territory in 1870, 1t is possible
that a superb fighting machine like
the German army might force it's way
through, but it would be at tremen-
dous cost. The easier way Is round
the line Of defenses, across the plains
Of Luxembourg and Belgium, where
the going is good, and across a line
which the French, relying on the in
ternational guarantee Of the neutral
ity Of these countries. have failed to
fortify as they have fortified their
German frontier proper.
With right of way across Belgium
and Luxembourg, and with control Of
Belgian ports, which, it il to be as
sured, would also be demanded, the
entrance Of a German army into
France by a flank movement would
be facilitated, and another important
nava base be gained, which would
have aided in striking at either
France or England, as might be de-
sired. This Is m Of the situations
which brought forth British protests,
and which has brought a declaration
OF war from Great Britain.
Italy has declared her intention Of
remaining neutral. Her action is sig
nthcant i, She is a member, with Ger
many and Austria, Of the triple al
lance, whose members are bound to
aid each other. Italy's Interpretation
of that obligation, however, indicated
q lack Of enthusiasm in regard to the
present plans Of her quondam allies.
She takes the position that she Is
bound to aid her allies in a war Of
defense, whereas she holds that Aus
trials war, which IL the beginning of
the trouble, is purely an offensive war
in which h Is not bound to aid. So
experienced a naval critic as our own
Admiral Mahan holds that for her
WI preservation against the en-
croachments Of her hereditary enemy,
Austria, 1t will be necessary for Italy
Is abandon her attitude of neutrality
and take an active part In the strux-
sle, not as a member Of the triple
alliance, but as the ally'of Russia,
France and Great Britain. That
might have an important bearing on
the general result, and IT will be in
teresting to see II Admiral Mahan's
predictions are fulfilled.
Tho German army is generally con-
esded to be the strongest and best
organized lighting body in the world.
The German soldier has proven his
quality on many . bloody held, and
not for one moment during the past
AAifS century has there been an inter-
faiavicn In the drill Of that wonderful
1fSanixation. And yet, there are
5tuettMes surprises when the actual
s46et II made. For q long time prior
Ss6 the Iate war between Turkey ana
sfGe Balkan states the Turkish armies
- bsen drilled BY German omcers
&S 1aceos1ins u astsnan msthods.
SAdJesFfsns4 OMssrs had tra4nsd the
S46en 6xiASee accordins Is rrsnnh
<fa9b1lM 19set fart 49, diseuassd
@n1ttery er1t5es dusins ana
- thsps - nsnek