The Delta independent., 1915-08-13
A Year of the War.


While Austria-Hungary and Serbia
started to fight four days before, the
great war really began with the en-
trance of Germany and Russia year
ago. Details of battles and move
ments and reports of killed, wounded
and captured have come only through
censors whose chief zeal is not for
the truth. But there are certain out
standing facts no corner could hide.
One is the immensity of the conflict.
More men have been killed and more
treasure spent than in any other
dozen wars of like duration. Human
ingenuity has tried to outdo itself in
devising methods of destruction. Ev-
cry realm of knowledge has been
drawn upon and every kind of skill
engaged. There has been fighting on
land, on sea, in the air, under the sea
and in subterranean trenches. The
war and its effects, felt to greater
or less degree by every human crea-
ture, have occupied the attention of
commerce, industry, science, state
craft, philanthropy, religion and phil
osophy. Sages said such a war was
impossible. When it began they pre-
dicted a speedy end. But after year
of terrific conflict, making all prev
ious battles seem skirmishes, each
beligerent declares it is fighting for
its life and is professedly confident
of victory. The allies are bound by
pledge not to conclude peace separ-
ately or to make demands for peace
not previously agreed upon among
themselves.
1t may be called the German war.
for while it has allies, Germany is the
great figure. Through German aid
and direction, the medieval Turk has
given the allies the most painful sur
prise of the war. A few months ago
Austria Hungary was suffering great
reverses and was expected to become
supplicant for peace. But when
leavened with German troops and
commanded by German officers, the
Austrian army has become a mighty
fighting machine. Although it made
its greatest advances to the west and
the south in September, Germany is
still fighting on foreign soil. 1t holds
LuXemberg, Belgium and the richest
section OF France and bids fair to
hold Russian Poland. fighting sue
cessfully now where it fought disas-
trously last October. Only Alsace is
Occupied by an invader. Germany has
lost its Asiatic and African possessions.
Its commerce has been swept from
the seven seas. II gets no supplies
from the outside except from Scan
dinavia and from Holland and Rou-
mania. Being unable to buy abroad,
1t has piled up no great foreign debt.
But II seems to have everything it
needs and is performing prodigies of
valor and daring. With its submarine
warfare II has forced up marine
freight and insurance rates and
threatened England with a fish famine.
But the allies show no lack of conf
dence. Japan. finishing its allotted
task in the Orient. has apparently be-
tohit StIbid mas It's Ter
ritory intact and has improved the op-
portunity TO seize long-coveted Du-
razzo. Italy has as yet accomplished
little. but is sure to do much military
and economic damage to Germany and
its allies. Russia has fought unsuc-
cessfully but with admirable persever-
ance will continue to engage troops
that cannot well be spared from the
West. France. thought to be as un-
stable as water, has astonished the
world by its calm courage and tenac-
ity. Great Britain has financed the
allies, swept German commerce from
the seas, protected transports and con
tributed an army which Kitchener is
said to be increasing rapidly. Re
sources of men. ships and wealth are
on the side of the allies. They seem
to feel that they can win and that
they must win.