The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1916. DIVIDED FORCES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 12, 12 August 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1916. DIVIDED FORCES.

That all is not well with the German ; High Command becomes, more appar- j eut every day. The insolent supeiseding of Austrian officers by Germans when the much-belauded Hindenburg was again appointed to command the whole of the offensive against Russia on the eastern fronts created such : bitterness that the programme bad to j lie somewhat modified, but the damage | had been done and a pretty sort ol hate between German and Austrian is i growing apace. Further, Hinclenhurg is said to have pretty plainly hinted I that in future the Kaiser must keep.) his interfering finger out of the Fasten! pie. and he will not like the snub. The appointment of Hindeiihurg, however, became almost imperative to keep internal Germany quiet, because his name has been one to conjure with in Kaiserdom. But this national hero, though admittedly a militarist of great ability is by no means feared by Russia, and the relentless march of the soldiers of the White Czar is ] unstaved. It is difficult to live up tOj the reputation of national hero lor very long—when there are big tilings I doing, and though Tannenburg (where j Russia suffered valor on sly and with marvellous courage and patience against impossible handicaps a yeai ago) brought some fame to him, he I has not been able to live up to the glory with which his countrymen surrounded him. Ail - Buchan says ol Hindeiihurg, that “apart from the; local knowledge which won him Tan* ( nenburg, it is difficult to detect in bis 1 handling of the campaign any transcendent military genius, lie inspired great enthusiasm among his troops, ' hut his plans were not his, but those of the machine behind him. His sledge-hammer blows at different part* of the Russian front were predetermined by the nature of his weapon. Certainly, with oilier German Generals. he was prominent in driving back tlic> Russian army'a year ago, but he was certainly baffled Indore the stand j at Riga and in those fierce combats m the swamps and marshes, when the tide turned again towards iH'niiland. Great authorities hold that Russia lias several leaders in her armies today who are Hindenburg’s superiors and bis own countryman Moltke, certainly a famous German General, mica said that be could not lay claim to great Generalship because ho had never been tried in retreat, lliudeii-, burg’s opportunity under tins head- j ing is to hand. With shattered and i dispirited Austrian troops sullenly) driven to stand by hated Prussian

leaders, his chances are further reduced, and he may not he quite such a popular hero in another month. The tremendous defeat of Austria hy the Italians fits splendidly into the Allies programme- at such a time, and the advances on all fronts against the enemy’s suprcmest effort must now have forced conviction to the minds of even the military clique of ruthless world-disturbers at Potsdam, that crushing defeat is the inevitable end to all they have so foully planned and schemed for.