THROUGH NEUTRAL EYES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 272, 4 May 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

THROUGH NEUTRAL EYES.

Views of neutrals are ahvivs interesting, and never more so than at the present juncture, when the opposing forces are entering upon what it is believed will be the final stage of the war. The following striking analysis of the positions of the rival forces at the commencement of the spring campaign is, therefore, worthy if wine attention:— You say: "Wo •• 'lall w in" ; we say: "We have won.'' So sav tlie Central Powers to the Allies, and if conquest spells victory they :.!0 justified. But. it conquest means victory, why arc the Germans making a levy en masse oi their own population and pressing into their service the Belgians and Poles? Does a victorious nation need to employ such extraordinary measures in order to obtain peace! - ' Success depends on the resources in men and material which the belligerents have in reserve, and in their determination to use every means to obtain victory. Hut while the Allies are slowly distributing their forces according to their resources, matters are otherwise with the Central Powers. Germany is compelled, in addition to her normal share of the burden, to ia!:e up that which should f all on her allies. For example, the Pritisli in 1017 are able to take over a large part of the French front, and the Russians and Portuguese are also in a position to take their share. Thus the French, who are defending only a portion of their front, will be enabled t-: form new reserves. The Germans, on the contrary, even in the first period of tinwar. had to bear the whole burden of the Western front, and in ♦ lie second year had 1o relieve the Austrians on a portion of the Ea>tern front. In this way their effectives will be morn rapidly used up. Moreover, the calling to the colours of the 1017 and 1918 classes will give the Central Power:; only half the number of men ti.at will be raised by the Allies' levies, and in the coming campaign the Entente will be superior in man-power. It will be the same in the case of material. it is clear that 011 the day when the Central Powers realise that in spite of all their efforts they cannot bring to the war the resources of their r.dvcrsariei their people will not long put up with the privations of the war-