IS GERMANY DEFEATED?

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 245, 26 January 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

IS GERMANY DEFEATED?

in those cases where a single cablegram; coming from an unofficial source, announces r.'ivs of thj first importance, there 19 undoubted justification for tho war pessimists (and their name is legion receiving it with doubt and scorn. When, however, a series of cables, arriving day after day from different sources, are all confirmatory of a certain statement, or condition of afffirs, tho most chronic pessimist will find it difficult to refrain from according if at least a certain amount of credence. During the past week we have published innumerable cables, from a variety of sources, all definitely statin? that Germany and Austria are experiencing a desperate food and money shortage, that they are on the verge of famine, and that it is imperative that they should have peace at once. If the news via America regarding their food and money shortage was insufficient to induce belief, it is abundantly proved by the attitude and actions of Germany herself. Firstly, in humiliating herself by proposing peace negotiations; secondly, by her strenuous efforts to influence neutrals to Intercede: thirdly, by her palpable wrath, disappointment and rancorous abuse at the Allied refusal; and, fourthly, by her dire threats of vengeance and retaliation because her peace proposals wero thrown back in her face. The Kaiser continues to parade his personality and to make vehement and vainglorious speeches to his troops, emphasising tho invulnerability of the German armies and bragging of future conquests. But, as tho American Press points out, th»> German attitude is the curtain behind rtLich is a scene of ghastliness, misery, starvation, and bankruptcy. At any moment the impatient actors In the gruesome scene may lift the curtain and disclose the internal condition of Germany and Austria to an astonished world. AYhen this happens, as happen it apparently must, away will go Germany's last vestige of international credit, and general collapse will follow swiftly. At the present moment her commerce is at an absolute standstill; h-T harbours are choked with idle an] dc-eitcd ships; her colonies have all L( en torn from her; her Allies are all cheeking excuse* to withdraw from the conflict on different pretexts, and she i, thivatei.ed with isolation; her armies have conquered vast stretches of territory which they are not big enough U hold; she has readied tho stage where further conquests only make it wore difficult for her conquering armies t , rctieat if called upon; she is- cut off : from communication with the outside wt.rld by the blockade; she sees tho i armies ;>[ her enemies growing steadily i in strength, while her own are deelin- : ing; and she knows that sooner or late;' tie blow must fall. Her dreams ol j world expansion arc rapidly dissolving . into thin air. She has broken every law 1 f God and humanity, and stands de- : graded and disgraced in the eyes of all i civilisation. There are various stage. '■ of defeat in war, as of defeat iu i<l 'tl and the way they are met s 1 1. pendent upon the character of the j <!< foatod. CVrmae.y ,has (reached) tho initial stage of realisation, and is I abusive. She may bo forgiven u lot 'i I in the final stages sl,o docs not "squeal" 1 ut there are decided indications th.it ui en the tune conies she will.