The Taihape Daily Times TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1916. A CHASTENED PEOPLE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 38, 15 February 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1916. A CHASTENED PEOPLE.

AND WAIMAEINO ADVOCATE (With which is incorporated The Tai bape Post and Waimarino News.)

A late cable conveyed the intelli- ! gence that a sensational scheme for the confiscation of textile goods in Germany had greatly shaken the confidence of the German people as regards the duration and the outcoming of the Avar. Suspicions were aroused that their Kaiser, their Government and the men in high military commands were not telling them the truth about how the war was pro- ' gressing, and that there was some deception about their men soon returning victoriously to their homes. We can imagine the consternation that the confiscation of all textile goods would create. If the decree extends to articles now in use, it seems that the impossible is being forced upon the German people. In any case it is incontrovertible evidence of the effectiveness of the blockade that the British Navy has established. German newspapers, as might be expected, are dealing very cautiously with the sensational step the Government has found it necessary to take. They say the people's doubts about the duration of the war must not remain unansAvered, but who will, or who can say when the war will terminate. .Despite persistent and rapidly widening peace proposals and discussions all belligerents say they will not sheath the sword till victory is won. A leading Teuton journal says it is a mistake to regard the new economic restrictions as proof that the war is bound to last a long time, and in its exasperation and extremity it ca'.ls out "Will God lead us to the goal we all expect?" ' As Ave almost hear the cry we are inclined to feel sorrow for a people that has been wilfully and criminally mis'.ed. Then the paGazette" —goes on to say "We lack neither resources in men, economic strength or armaments," and we can read between the lines the hopelessness of the writer. We can imagine other words in his mind and if he had dared to be frank he worjd have continued, "and yet the wall of steel that we have called about us has doomed us to defeat, and the overturning of all our cherished ideas of world domination." All we can do now is to keep cool, hold out, and await what the near future will bring forth. This is what appears in Germany's best accredited newspaper; what a comparison with the buoyancy of spirit shown by the Allies; the determination that is backed by power and righteousness, to win the war. There can be little doubt in Germany about who will win, the great aim there is to come out with as little loss as possible.