Hokitika Guardian & Evening star MONDAY, SEP. 24th, 1917. GERMANY’S GREATEST MISTAKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening star MONDAY, SEP. 24th, 1917. GERMANY’S GREATEST MISTAKE.

~ Hits Kaiser coined his itieniorabic phrase in reference to 1 ‘Britain’s oi,iue..uptiole Army,” ho was not really inveighing against its numerical miniijOik, hut that in pre-war days German opinion of Britain's mlitary strength was phrased only in most contemptuous terms. The oft qnoted Bemhaidi said of the militia: of the. British selfgoverning dominions: “they can be completely ignored so far as concerns any European theatre ol the war. This sweeping allegation: has been discounted absolutely by the actions of

c anachi, India, South Africa, Australia and Now Zcaland/aud other far Hung dependencies wiio rushed U> arms a. the 'Umpire’s fall. Or take this .statement of Bernhardt in reference to the British territorial army: “For » Continental European war it may be left out of account. Gorman insight Hero was again lamentably astray for in every sector ol the \\ i :-t front, in the Balkan, Egypt, Africa and elsewhere, the territorial army has won fame by its repeated victories over the greatly lauded German troops. Another gem of German thought bvi’oro the war was that “England is incapable of producing a people’s army. ’ ilu* though live millions men have been marshalled to uphold tho traditions of Britain’s military glory. But German foresight lias been astray in other directions. Another writer pa. it on record; “if, in case of war, England should joint tho Dual Alliance (Franco and Russia) against us, the Gorman military position will be in no wav prejudiced, il we, on our side toko

care to kindle lire at tho points, where her world-power is threatened. In that ijase, too, oversea prizes beckon us on which will he well worth winning,” New Zealand for instance ! ! But Germany’s- dream of military power was soon dissipated, for a few weeks of progress of the war and she was stripped of her own overseas prizes by the daughter states of Britain, which Germany had ideas of herself securing. But if Germany had any doubt of tile potency of Britain’s military, the rec. id of 1916-1917 must have dispe'l *! it, surely. The battle of the Somme a year ago was the final turning point when General Haig was able to say he held the enemy secure, and when and

where lie liked ho .could deliver telling stiokes. K\ ents have supported that declaration. All through the northern summer the l British have exercised the initiative, and never unsuccessfully. ]\l.iss the Germans a> they will, supported hy guns and gunnery however well secured, all objectives are attained oneo the well prepared attack is launch ed. The latest heavy fighting is further proof of the great superiority. The artillery practice on the part of the British has been phenomenal. It has been , carried out on scientific lines with nr- | ithmetionl exactitude. Beduced to this science it has saved much valuable Allied; life, while accounting for an increased ratio of enemy casualties. So we find that the regulars have justified themselves, he their numbers great or small, the territorials have done won- I derfnl feats, while the colonial forces from the corners of the earth are not one. whit behind their gallant comrades in doing and daring and so we may ex- ; poet Germany will bo at last awake to j her greatest mistake, and mis calculation in regard to this war