Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-10-13
EXPERT POINTS OUT !.
DANGER IN AFRICA
TO ENGLISH RULE.
German Offensive in Belgium
Also FOrteIls Danger to
the Allies
GERMANS ARE ALSO
BEATING RUSSIANS
Carrying War Into Africa"
May Cost England Her
Colonies There
(By j. W. T. Mason, former London
correspondent for United Press.l

(By j. W. T. Mason, former London
correspondent for United Press.)
New York. Oct. l3.--Having showed
the allies northern column away from
the German lines Of communication, the
kaiser's commanders were increasing
the energy Of their pushing tactics to.
day in an effort to surround the Franco
Anglo Belgian forces in northwestern
Belgium and Northern France.
II this scheme succeeds, the French,
British and Belgians who, in this dis.
trict, probably number not less than
10000, will face the alternative Of
surrendering or being driven into the
North Sea. q
TO accomplish this ambitious maueu-
yer the Germans must extend inef
westward from Antwerp to Boulogne.
Calais or some other channel port and
this line must be strong enough to pre-.
vent the allies northern force from
breaking through and joining their main
army TO the southwark The line has
now been drawn as far as Hazebrouck,
% miles from the Strait Of Dover
Al the same time a wide drive must
be developed to force the allies back to
Ostend, Dunkirk or elsewhere on the
coast. II is reported that this drive has
already progressed as far as Gbent.
Danger to the Allies.
There is much danger to the allies in
this suddenly,developed German often
siye. The corner into which they are
being driven is the most favorable to
the Germans in the entire theatre Of
war. Before them are the Germans;
neutral Holland prevents their retreat
to the north and east and the sea shuts
them in on the west.
Coincidentally with the development
of this German offensive in Belgium
another Tcutonic offensive Of far more
Importance is showing itself in Russian
Poland. r
The sudden cessation of the optimistic
series Of statements from Pertograd q
few days ago is followed by Indications
that the Russians have been forced to
end their campaign in western Galicia
to prevent a worse disaster to them.
selves in Poland than befell them in
East Prussia early in the war.
Boor Troops Revolt.
News from South Africa was serious,
from the British standpoint,
The revolt began among the Boer
troops who were supposedly most loyal
and had been chosen to invade German
Southwest Africa,
The fact that the Germans were able
to influence to the extent Of winning
them entirely over Is significant, indi.
eating the possibility of disaffection
among greater part Of the Beers, who
outnumber the British.
The proclamation of martial law
throughout the entire Union Of South
Africa instead Of merely in the cane
province, shows too that the British
either doubt the loyalty Of the Beers
everywhere or else that they are un.
certain Of the extent Of their disaffec.
| ton.
II would be impossible for Great
Britain to hold South Africa unaded
under present conditions If the revolt
should become general and recent eff.
forts to induce Portugal to take hand
In the war may have been due TO warn.
ings that Boer revolution threatened
Accounts for Portugal,
Portuguese East Africa adioins Eng
land 3 territory and the troops might
be able TO do effective service In aid
Of the British. Undoubtedly Great
Britain would offer the Portuguese sub
] stantial inducements to do so.
Botha Is Loyal
Premier llothn Of the Union Of South
Africa himself a Bocr Ia warmly loyal
to the British and possesses much in.
flucnce with his people.
In explanation Of the Boer uprising
in South Africa, the war information
| bureau said there had been "a certain
amount Of dissatisfaction ever since
General Bcyers resigned command Of
| the colony's troops, that M n result Of
/ II the government decided TO supercedo
/ Colonel MnHtl, who commanded In the
northwest, whereup0n Mnritz announced
he would raise the standard of revolt
/ unless permitted 10 consult first with
Generals Beyers, Dewet and lertzog,
all nnti'British.
Then without awaiting q reply. he
arrested all the pro.BHiish soldiers In
I his command, sent them prisoners into
N'llnhn hoWlhNtNt NlllrN hnW iu0h thc
field, Mt the head Of bis own Boer Iorce,
strengthened by troops from the Ger.
man possession
TO Form New Republic.
The governor Of German Southwest
Africa was said TO have promised
Marit2 his support, TO guarantee the IN.
dependence Of republic he plans 70
establish and then cede to II walfish
bay and other herman porta
"Tho colonial government, said tho
war information bureau, ''is taking
vigorous measures 70 crush the rebellion
aud punish the traitors"
Officialdom did not try, however, 70
| disguise che seriousness Of the situation.
II was said dissatisfaction among the
Beers dated from General Beyers
resignation Of the South African mill.
/ thry command rather than fight the
Germans
Colonel Maritz commanded one Of 10
] a