The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1914. AN AMERICAN’S VIEW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 18, 21 May 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1914. AN AMERICAN’S VIEW.

Aii American whose views may or may not he worth anything, alter a trip to Kurland and the Continent gave some opinions on the war to a New York journal. Amongst other things lie said that what was going to finally heat Germany, in the view of British military men. was the constant per ventage .against them in the daily losses, and the length of time it will take to bring about their'final defeat is the time it will take to kill off a sufficient number of them through this relentless disparity in the losses. He further learned that military leaders in London and Paris reckoned this task about half finished. Even the enormous figures of the German losses sent out from Copenhagen are not believed to represent half the actual losses suffered. The actual losses' in the Prussian Army are estimated by the Allies as already reaching between 2,000,000 and 2,500,000 men, killed, wounded, and missing. It is figured that the German General Staff and the Emperor will not be satisfied to accept defeat until these losses have reached a total of close to 5,000,000. When this total has been reached it is believed it will no longer be optional with Germany to continue the conflict. It is a great pity the rank and file do not realise this: if they did they might more speedily end matters by ending Wilhelm. It is also stated that more stress may be laid on this plan killing off. maiming or capturing of the enemy I>y men in authority among the Allies than upon the much-talked-of plans for ‘starving out’ Germany. In fact, it is not believed in well informed circles abroad that Germany is now or is likely to be hard pressed for food. The naval measures intended to cut off Germany’s supplies while hindering the bringing In of food for the vast Teuton armies, have their real purpose rather in shutting off the inflow of copper, rubber and the materials Used in making ammunition. In these very necessary supplies there may be a famine in Germany and Austria which will have an effect on the final outcome of the war. the more so because of the staggering consumption of ammunition by all the belligerents in the present war. Even the highest estimates made before the conflict by the experts of the several Powers of the ammunition needs of a present-day world war have been .surpassed to an incredible extent. It may be assumed that Germany already is straining every nerve to keep up with the neverceasing demand from the front for ever v sort of ammunition. On the side of the Allies a considerable part of this burden has fallen upon Great Britain. British factories are now turning out about the same amount of material in a week as they ever before' turned out in a year, and the rate of output is being increased coastantlv. Both France and Russia are uetLinp part of their ammunition from British factories while their own also

are being run at top capacity and are being increased as rapidly as possible. Vast reserve supplies are now being accumulated to meet any possible contingency. Some time ims elapsed since this American made his observations, and the recent more than ever reckless disregard ot Germany for the lives of her own soldiers has helped to swell very considerably the estimate of killed and wounded he gives us.