18 DECEMBER 1915, Page 2

At present it was Greece's turn. The original request of

• Venezelos that French and British troops should be landed at Salonika had been withdrawn, and the subsequent notions ref the Entente had been entirely arbitrary. In fact, the opponents of Prussian militarism were showing how the British naval domi. name could be used as a brutal menace to compel the Greeks to violate their duties as neutrals. The pretence that Britain had declared war for the sake of Belgium bad long since had to be aban• dolled. The world knew now that it was at England's command that the " murder of nations" continued. In the East the German and Austrian troops occupied a far-advanced, well-consolidated, and strong position, and were always " ready for a further advance." In the West the French and British, In spite of their contempt for death, had failed to break through. The Austrian positiorui against Italy were firmly held. In Belgium the economic situation was almost normal, and in Poland and the conquered Baltic provinces reorganization was proceeding. " Never in history bad so much peaceful work been accom- plished behind the front."