GERMAN AIMS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 4 January 1917, Page 6

GERMAN AIMS.

MORE FRIGHTPtTLNESS LONDON, Oct. 27. The correspondent of the Chronicle at Stockholm sends the following: -"The facts with regard to the official German attitude in the present position of the war, together with an outline of the course to be pursued, have been told me by a distinguished neutral resident in Berlin who for some few days has been visiting Sweden. My infor- : mant speaks with the knowledge that ' he is not a casual foreigner in Berlin, but one whose business brings him in touch with public life and public business there, and who has special facilities for knowing the minds of the political leaders. I present the narrative as nearly as possible in his own words: 'I left Berlin about a week ago. It may be taken as quite definite that the authorities realise the war is lost. •i** ' TwO f& ct S. Stand out quite clearly to the German Powers. The filgt is that while Germany still retains the power to manufacture munitions at a large and formidable rate the output of the Allies is now in advance of the German output; and the significance of this is realised. ! g*-"i-1" ; 'The second point is even more important. It is recognised that the reserves of man-power are not sufficient to allow Germany to conduct the war to a victorious and successful issue. The offensive on the Somme is a crucial thing. They have no illusions about this. They believe they can impede the Allies, hold them back for a long time, but they realise that they cannot do it indefinitely. It is privately acknowledged that sooner, or later the Allies must break through. CAN HOLD TWELVE MONTHS, 'More than this, the Germans have calculated the limit of time they can effectively withstand attacks on the Western front at twelve months. They know, however, that the Allies may get through before. ■'"." ' ■ \ *' ■ '■ •■• - 'With these facts in mind they have framed their future course of action. They are seeking for a peace which will not brand them as defeated, and to get it they will make considerable sacrifices. The whole of their new plans will be co-ordinated toward that end. Whatever may be their fears of the future, they still have at their command vast fighting forces of various kinds. They are going to use them to bring about this peace which'they want so badly.

'First of all they have made up their minds to smash Roumania completely, not only for the sake of the material advantages, but also for the moral effect. Then they" are going to throw discretion to the winds with regard to submarines. They arc going to use the undersea vessels to annoy Britain as much as possible. They will be quite careless of the feelings of neutrals. The visit of Ambassador Gerard to the United States is undoubtedly in connection with this coming submarine campaign. Th e general idea is not to conquer, but, by annoyance, losses and perils, to increase the desire for peace which they are sure exists among some sections of the population already.' '