To save Hungary

Great Austro German effort

Kaiser in command

Fighting in the west

Rear admiral Hood’s report on the work of the flotilla under his command off the coast of Belgium between October and November is a belated document but it is further illustration of what the command of the sea enables us to do.

While in no way seeking to minimise Russian achievements in the Carpathians or to criticise the official reports which throughout have proved reliable, it certainly appears that in at least one recent instance, Petrograd has employed rather loose phraseology.

The impression has been conveyed that the whole of the heights were in Russian hands and that a consolidations of its positions was all that remained as preparation for the swoop down upon the plains of Hungary.

The ridges however continue to be scenes of desperate fighting and yesterday’s official report speaks of a violent battle developing in the region of the Uszok pass which the enemy still holds.

It was not to be expected that the chief villain of the piece would allow his fellow conspirator to be smashed without an effort particularly as the ruin of the one means the ultimate defeat of both and there is reason to believe that at the present moment the main preoccupation of the German general staff is how to keep at bay the invaders of Hungary.

So far as can be learned from unofficial sources five independent Austrian armies are operating against the Russians one on the Nida region, while the other for are in the Carpathians themselves. The German troops who have gone to the assistance of the Austrians in the mountainous area amount to seven army corps. Further help is being provided as opportunity and resources permit, neither particularly promising at the moment and it is further understood that the general direction belongs to the German General staff which hs assumed all authority.

It is even believed that the Kaiser is personally directing the operations in the Carpathians and is keeping to the rear of the Austro-German lines.