Silver bullets

Allies’ great scheme

German effort in Poland

A battered battering-ram

It has been well said that Serbia’s men are as valuable to France and Great Britain as though they were assisting to defend the line of trenches from St George’s to beyond Toul.

At the same time the gallant army of Belgium is rendering as much service to Russia as though it were fighting in Poland or Galicia.

The interests of all five states, great and small, are one and indivisible, the policy that has been approved at the Paris conference will be welcomed because it effectively recognises the paramount principle.

The joint conduct of financial operations connected with the war has been decided upon and although the new move has come as a surprise a little thought will show that it was inevitable.

Belgium has already received loans from France and Great Britain and Serbia has had advances from Russia and Great Britain.

Now they will be able to rely on the cash and credit of the three great powers with which they are allied.

Great Britain, France and Russia have agreed to unite their financial resources equally for the purpose of carrying the war to to a successful conclusion.

To this end the respective governments will be recommended by their finance ministers to take over equally advances made to countries now fighting with them or countries which some time in the future may take up arms.

This does not represent merely a rhetorical flourish, it has at one and the same time the effect of an invitation, a pledge and a manifesto.

It is quite easy to see that if the war continues much longer more than one kingdom now standing neutral may find its vital interests imperilled and may find it necessary to defend its interests by force of arms.

Romania, Italy, Greece, Holland and the Scandinavian countries are all in this position and with hardly an exception the neutrals are all supplied with money.

It remains to be added that the war is a war of material resources as well as of armies, of money as well as of men, and there can be not the smallest doubt that in the matter of finance the allies have already a decisive advantage which will be increased as time goes on.

The indignation aroused by the United States at the German declaration of a blockade of British coastal waters continues to find full vent in the press.

The frequent threats of international trouble in case American crews, vessels or passengers are interfered with has evidently impressed the German mind and their embassy in Washington has issued a statement that Germany does not intend to intend to molest or seize American vessels laden with foodstuffs for the civilian population of enemy countries.

It may be added that if Germany ever makes an exception in the case of American vessels then must make it in the respect of others.