The Dominion TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1915. THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2626, 23 November 1915, Page 4

The Dominion TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1915. THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW

The highly successful offensive of the British and French forces, which took place towards the end of September, is generally regarded as tho most important event in the Western theatre: of war since the defeat of tho Germans in the Battle of the Marne. The magnificent dash and superb bravery of the British troops, which resulted in tho piercing of the German line and the jipture of tho village of Loos, make a story as glorious as any yet recorded in tho military annals of our racc. Tho victory, in conjunction with the brilliant Frcnch success in tho Champagne district, gave the people of Germany a very unpleasant shock, though the German_ Press did its utmost to minimise its extent. Tho comments of the German newspapers and military authorities on the battle are extremely interesting, and give outsiders an opportunity of obtaining a glimpso of the war through Teutonic spectacles. The German authorities appear to have given tho hint that the batth should be referred to as an unsuccessful attempt to break through the German lines. The news seems to have, been doled out with much caution, and the main purpose of tho explanations and comments was ' to make tho people believe tjiat the AJLlied amies,

had paid a heavy price for an unimportant victory. But when one reads these comments carefully, it becomes quite evident that those who arc in a position to know the true state of affairs are well aware that the happenings on the Western front during the last week in September meant the inauguration of a new phase in the war. General von Blujie, for instance, remarks that the enemy will probably try again, but even if ho succeeds in "breaking through" the consequences need not terrify the Germans, "as the immci diato result would be a battle in the field," which they would welcome. This is a very significsnt admission of the possibility of sensational developments in the near future. It is also an indirect confession that the offensive has passed into the hands of the Allies.

General von Blume prepares the public for the severe shock that he knows must come by pointing out that the country must expect to hea»' of heavy losses, both in men and material, in consequence of the enemy's deadly bombardment and subsequent overwhelming infantry assaults. The Frankfurter refers to the "terrible gravity" _of tho combat, and warns' the nation that the French and English are bent on enforcing decisive action. This paper thinks it necessary to assure its readers that Germany is, not exhausted, and that she can bring strong forccs to threatened points without weakening other parts of her front. -Major Moraht. the military critic of the B°.rliner Tageblatt, admits that Germany has "colossal tasks" before her. He hopes that the final military objective of the_ French' attack—the piercing of the German lines on . a grand scale—will not be attained; but, he adds, "we do not ignore the gravity of the battle;"' When-, a newspaper of standing ;h'as to assure: the people, Who'have been living under tho. promise of certain victory, "that there "is no ground for alarm" it may be taken for granted that the public is „inclined,to be alarmed. There are many signs that the German people'are beginning to realise* that their chances of final victory are diminishing, and this feeling has been accentuated by the knowledge that, even if an actual breach has, riot- been made in the "£!erman_wall of steel," it is wearing very thin in sonic places. The wives and families of the men at the front are suffering great hardships, and much uneasiness is •-felt in commercial and. financial circles. The military class is doing its. utmost to make the nation believe that Britain is getting

tired ol the struggle,, that France is almost exhausted, and that Russia recognises that her cause is lost. But these assurances are gradually losing their power to convince. The hopes of the enemy now. seem to depend on the success of- the German march to Constantinople. And yet the nation does not exactly see'how success in this' theatre of war will bring the conflict to an end. A few days ago it was stated that Germany was prepared to consider terms of peace if the Allies took the initia-. tive. Now it is stated that Heiir Harden, who was at one time one of the foremost advocates of a to a finish, has expressed the opinion that Germany should announce her intentions regarding peace terms. Ho warns .his countrymen against

the comforting-idea that their enemies are almost exhausted. lie tells them that Britain and Russia are only beginning. The present situation may not be wholly satisfactory from the point of view of Britain and her Allies, but b is quite certain that the outlook is causing great anxiety in Germany.