A day of events

Fall of Belgrade

Russian plan developing

Germans reinforced in Poland

King and President at the front

Serbia was better prepared than Belgium for war and Austria is not Germany. But the disproportion between the little Slav state and her neighbour was sufficiently crushing to make us marvel that she has been able to hold her capital for so long.

That Belgrade has fallen, moreover does not necessarily mean an end to Serbia’s resistance and further large military operations are beyond her power but in the mountains she will be able to wage the kind of warfare which will be a serious embarrassment to the Austrians, right to the end of the chapter.

It is on the cards too that the seizure of Belgrade may make the neutrality of the other Balkan states difficult to maintain and Austria’s delayed success may prove to be perilously like a disaster. We shall see.

Taking a broad view of the eastern campaigning it is a little puzzling to know why Austria having delayed this great effort so long should at last essay it.

Possibly we may receive enlightenment before too long in the shape of an event hinted at yesterday.

There are other piquant items of news this morning, in addition to the fall of Belgrade.

There is for example the capture of De Wet which brings still nearer the complete collapse of the South African rebellion.

Then there is Germany’s reported apology to Portugal for the recent invasion of Portuguese territory in Africa, a piece of cool impertinence which almost takes ones breath away.

Of course failure preceded the apology and it is hardly likely that our ancient ally will be satisfied with barren and belated excuses.

Portugal’s determination to participate in the war is not likely to be affected the Germans may offer and the Teutons will yet have cause to regret their stupid aggression.

We are still more or less in the dark with regard to the position in Poland and it would be well to wait a little longer before attempting to arrive at conclusions.

A careful survey of the situation as far as it presents itself including the material provided in the German official statements does not however strengthen the doubts which have been formed in many minds during the last two or three days.

The Germans do not seem to be telling the truth.

That the Germans are making a good fight is likely enough, they are capable of it and the necessity is in all conscience great enough.

There is talk of the arrival of a new army from the west which has been flung in at Kalish. This is a factor of considerable Importance but it has also to be remembered that the Russian armies are continually growing and Germany will eventually be crushed by sheer weight.

The Russians continue to push on towards Cracow and it is Pointed out that in coming in that direction the Russians avoid crossing the Vistula before delivering their attack and the suggestion is that they will probably aim first at seizing Podgorze, the suburb of Cracow on the south side of the river.

There appears to be little change in the position in the west.

While the Dutch and other correspondents succeed only on clouding the situation with their reports of German movements, concentrations and alleged intentions, preparations for a decisive battle south of Ostend were so announced, Paris bulletins seem mainly to be concerned with matters of detail.

Yesterday’s communique recorded an unsuccessful attempt by the enemy to retake a trench south of Ypres and on the Aisne there was a violent bombardment near Craonne in which a German battery was destroyed.

As to the position along the Belgian coast British warships are said to be lying off Ostend while the bombardment of Zeebrugge has so damaged the harbour that ships are unable to leave.

King George and the French president paid a joint visit to the British fronts and afterward they dined together at the British headquarters.