t the military situation in Belgium is as bad as it can be.

_October 12-15._--Ostend evacuated by the Belgian Government,
which has moved to Havre. Germans have occupied Ghent and Bruges
and are attempting a sweeping cavalry movement to and along the
coast. This coincident with an infantry advance on Calais, which
was skilfully checked by a British force that had lain concealed
near Ypres.

_October 18._--German troops in Belgium are now in contact with
von Kluck's army; that is, they are on the right of the force
that invaded France, roughly on a line drawn from a point a few
miles north of Lille to Ostend. The Allies still occupy part of
Belgium including Fleurbaix, Ypres and the surrounding portion of
the right bank of the Lys. It was feared that the German force
liberated by the fall of Antwerp would be able to combine with
von Kluck, so as to effect a great turning movement on the
Allies' left. Thanks, however, to the excellent railways in
north-east France, skilful disposition of British and French
forces, and the stubborn courage of our troops, this danger was
averted. We have not only checked the movement, but have
ourselves advanced, and the Allies' line to the sea is secure.

_November 15-22._--Lord Roberts died of pneumonia. He breathed
his last at St. Omer in sound of the guns. He had gone to France
to greet his beloved Indian soldiers. A fitting end for this
really great man.

_December 13-20._--On Wednesday morning, December 16, German
warships bombarded Scarborough and Hartlepool. This incident of
no military value, but (1) it is a distinct "buck-up" for the
Germans, as no hostile shots had struck any part of English soil
before since the days of de Ruyter; (2) it may arouse unpleasant
misgivings among unthinking people as to the functions and
efficiency of our Navy. A tip-and-run bombardment only possible
because the Germans can concentrate on any selected point of our
coast, whereas we have to guard its whole length. Scarborough an
undefended town, and the bombardment a gross breach of
international law; but we are getting used now to that sort of
thing.

England has formally taken over Egypt, which hitherto had only
been in our occupation, Turkey's suzerainty being recognised. The
old Khedive, who is absent f