PRUSSIAN MILITARISM DOOMED.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 223, 3 November 1916, Page 7 (Supplement)

PRUSSIAN MILITARISM DOOMED.

Sigus arc becoming apparent o American observers thai Prussian militarism is engaged in a. seriojs struggle with civilian opinion in Germany, Tho militarists are lighting more strenuously within Germany tor tnerr future existence than along the eastern and western battle fronts; and it the judgment of the Americans is right, the rst great principle for which Britain entered tlie was is nearly won It cannot too strongly be emphasised that the British blockade is becoming incroasiiigly effective in its crushing pressure oh Prussian miltarsm. I have seen letters from Americans in Germany (wrtes the New YorK correspondent cf tha "Da-ily Express") smuggled past the censor and sent to New York by way of Scandnavia, which tell howcomplete a change is coming over the domestic situation in ermany. Ihe food crisis is growing more intense daily. Americans are wr.ting homo that they themselves are not getting enough nourishment to sustain them. From thoso who can after 1 it, bne-t trips are being "reqnently made to Holland and Scandinavia exclusively to* get a square meal or two. Openly, the Germans arc not eemiplainfng, but information has reached American newspaper offices to the effect that in secret the German people at homo are very bitter in their denunciation of tho Government s efficiency. The militarists are accused of having forgotten to take into consideration the wants of the civilian population in making their arrangements for a world war. The requirements of the so'diers and tho demands of the army machine y. large were carefully thought out in great detail, but an indifference was shown for the necessities of the civilians, which is now working to the undoing of Prussian militarism

The Germans are discovering that Prussian militarism may l>e an excellent machine in tunes of victory, but it is badly lacking iin proper qualities for times" when the spectre of defeat begins to loom ahead. It is remarked by American observers that the Teutonic militarists are able to think only in terms of ruthlcssness, wlrle what Germany wants now is not a ruthless Government hut an Administration eapablo of casing the rigors oi the British blockade. The militarists are unable to meet this situation by ordering attack after attack in massed formation. They cannot win by slaying human life; their necessity is to preserve human life. This is something new for them, and they are beginning to flounder in confusion. German-Americans, usually reluctant to speak in any except the most ex iravagant terms of the Kaiser s Government, are now beginning to show dissatisfaction at the manner in which tha Beilm authorities are handling the economic situation. Comments are being passed to the effect that the General Staff ought to have worked on: the food problem, and the clothing problem, and the raw materials problem, in advance of declaration of war. There can be no question that criticisms such as these have arisen because of letters to the German-Americans from homo picturing in despondent colours the general ecoonmic situation. THE GULF BETWEEN.

At no other time since the beginning of the war has there been any general differentiation among Germans concerning militarists and civilians, as far as American knowledge of the situation goes. Now, however, much evidence is accumulating that tha Germans hav» begun to realise the wide gulf of separation between the two. News has reached America that th" militarists aro beginning to make e\ cuscs to the civilians, and to beg tiia • judgment be withheld until 1: tcr times For tho first time in the history ol modern Prussian militarism the militarists are compelled to listen to arguments from the civilians, and to submit themselves to cross-examination by pe3plo who have no expert knowledge of the art of war.

As Americans see the European co

llict, this fact is of the highest importance. H is interpreted ;\s meaning that the British Navy is winning it.sian militarism is finding itself on the defcns've, which is but a step or two removed from surrender. That siut render is inevitable is now tht> general belief among well-informed Amcrieii interpreters of tho European struggK I'ho greater part of Germany s population is not in the bring line, but 's it home, feeling the approach j: a condition that is akin to mal-nutntion, .f not actual starvation. The militarists in the hold are in the minority; and when a governing minority is compelled to fall back on excus« and vague promises about vhat mignt happen in the future if all goes well, it is impossible to avoid thu belief that a collapse must come. To the cry tor bread German militarism replies by .-f----fering a bullet; but there are enough of bullets in Germany offered by tiio Allies. The offer of bullets cannot buy bread, nor can it provide for the raw materials which are so rapidly vanishing from German mills and factories. Tt is not only the masses of the people who are showing themselves dissatisfied with the militarists. It this were so, noting, bordering on revolution, might be the only means of driving tlu l Prussian militarists from power. The judgment of Americans \s that financiers, leading merchants, and some of the Kaiser's principal statesmen an beginning to wee the futilities of tin .'iiiFitarstic spirit. These men are being counted on to direct the, work of the militarists by proving fethat Germany's vital interests demand a change in governing ideals. They ar-> capablo of adopting a bold policy to save their own properties from destruction; and this they cannot do un/ess they save Germany from tlu militarists'. It is the beli.'f of Amen an judges thit the militarists feel themselves going, and in the end will surrender passively, abandoning all nnpo of dictating terms of ponce on behalf of Germany. Then thv German Government will attempt to make peace for the economic benefit of the civilians, which will mean negotiations by business men and statesmen without hearkenng to the routterings of the soldiers.