EARLY END OF WAR PREDICTED.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 49, 28 February 1916, Page 6

EARLY END OF WAR PREDICTED.

In spite of the German Chancellor's great speech in th e Beichstag last Friday, there is a persistent belief that the war will end in the summer,, probably in July (says an English correspondent). Here is an absolutely true story, which may throw some light upon the possibilities of an early return to peace. The scene took place within the four waDs of a well-known Parisian club, t-he principal actors being fiv e financiers whose names are household words throughout the world. The conversation happened to turn on the end of the war, and if nny reliance is to be placed upon this quintet of men, whose combined fortunes would almost pay off a war indemnity, Germany is gasping for breath. "I cannot understand why the military authorities talk of protracted hostilities," said one, who finally gave it as his opinion that the war "would surely come to an end in July of 1916." This statement met with the agreement of three of the plutocrats, the fourth begging leave to differ. What could possibly be his opinion! "As •'head of the biggest banking concern in the world, whose, name commences with'the lette R, such a man's ideas were wortth something more than mere words. "If you really want my firm belief as regards Germany," quoth the great man, "she will be beaten by June."