New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-21

her vital parts
The preparations in view of the final blow
in question are progressing sowly-this is in
evitable under the circumstances--but very
surely. 1t is already rumored that the Italian
army is destined TO defend Egypt on behalf
of the English-sfter Italy has herself lost
her newly acquired colony Of Tripoli with the
exception OF few stations on the coast.
The general situation is such as to admit OF
new and momentous decisions being taken.
Owing to the victories in Russia and to the
shortening OF our front there, large German
forces are h.nceforth available for employment
elsewhere as the German Chancellor publicly
declared.
SERBIA is STRATEGICAL SPOT.
The question arose as to where they should
first be employed
The first idea which occurred was probably
that of dispa,chng them to the western seat
of war, in order to bring about decisive re-
suit here. But the question arose as to whether
other operations were not more urgent.
From the point OF view of the general situa-
ton two things are necessarily of the greatest
importance: First of ALL that Austria be def
attack in the rear, and second that direct COM
municaton be established with Turkey in or
der that Germany and Austria Hungary be
able to assist the Turks to the best Of their
ability during the decisive operations to be
undertaken by the latter. We have approached
much nearer to the realization of this aim
since the day when the alliance between the
Central Powers and Turkey, on the one hand,
and Bulgaria, on the other, was concluded.
A campaign against Serbia can be the means
not only of attaining both the objects in view,
but also of exerting decisive influence on the
position of the remaining Balkan States. Di-
rect railroad communication with CONSTANT
nople can be established through Serbia and
Bulgaria. If Serbia is finally crushed, Austria
is guaranteed against all attacks in the rear,
and will be able to employ her entire forces
elsewhere.
We may however. guess that it was not easy
for the German military authorities to decide
upon sending large army into Serbia, with
view to bringing about decisive result in
the Balkans and in the east generally.
The German military authorities must have
been convinced when they took this decision.
that Russia will be incapable during many
months OF taking the offensve they must also
have had full confidence in the ability of the
German armies in the west to successfully re-
sist for long time to come the attacks Of
an enemy whose superiority in numbers is
constantly increasing. Such confidence must
have been all the greater seeing that the Ger
man military authorities knew for certainty
that the English and the French would as
soon as they were aware that large proper
ton of the German forces were kept busy in
Serbia, make desperate efforts in order to
break through the German lines. On the
other hand, decisive victory in the Balkans
unquestionably holds out the prospect of OBJ
tanning very farreaching advantages, as far as
the conduct of the war is concerned, notably
against England.
FRANCE AND RUSSIA ARE BEATEN.
The war which is raging to-day is not only
being waged on the frontiers OF Germany, and
within the sphere of power Of Germany's Con-
tinental neighbors, but it affects almost the
entire world, and it must be conducted with
especial energy in those regions in which it
is possible to iniict mortal wounds on Eng
land. AS matters stand to-day, France and
Russia have been so thoroughly beaten that
it is probable that, were they left to them
selves, they would renounce the hope of final
victory. But England, who rules fifth of the
inhabited globe, has as yet suffered no vital
injury. She is still able to exclude Germany
from the worlds trade, even if she be herself
seriously threatened by the activity of the
German submarines around the English coasts.
England is still in full possession of her colo
NAL strength, and is able to send countless
legions into the field against US. But in
certain sense, the feet OF the giant are made OF
clay. The unrest in India is very dlsquietns
The proclamation of the Holy War has not
been without influence there. and the 10000
900 Mahometsns who live under British rule
constitute permanent danger for Englands
empre-especially if they cooperate with the
rebellious elements among the population OF
Bengal and with the warlike inhabitants OF
Afehanistan. 1t may be taken for certain that
dangerous revolt would break out in Ind-
as soon as the position of England in Egypt
was seriously jeopardized
In Egypt itself British rule is far from be-
ing firmly established. The native army is
apart from the English troops garrisoned in
Esypt-esscntially hostile to England, and
merely awaits a favorabl opportunity in
order to rise against the foreign cppressor
On the western frontiers of the land of the
pharaohs the Sheik of the Senussi is watching,
in order to seize favorable opportunity for
leading his fanatical hordes against the
English. All the efforts made by the lat