EDISON AS PROPHET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 249, 30 March 1915, Page 6

EDISON AS PROPHET.

GERMANY MUST BE DEFEATED.

WILL THEN BECOME REPUBLIC.

"The Allies will win, but in Germany's (Vleat will come her greatest victory, "or her form of fiovernr.iont will ehangi to,that of a republic, and within fiftj years she wi'l be on top of us all." This prophecy came on February 11 from Thomas A. Ediison during his ce'ebration of the fact that he had reached the age of years—a celebration that consisted as always of more work than he performs on the other 3(U davs.

"The wa'\" said Edison, "has not produced anything in the line of scientific invention. Tlic only life-destroying device that stands out is the 42-centimetre ami used so well by the Germans. It is the principal factor in wiping out old methods of warfare.

"The Zeppelins—in fact, all aircraft —were overrated, it is now clear. They are practically useless in destroying life and property, and their value now lies in their power to s"carc. "~

"The submarine is of two-fold value. They are not only intensely destructive, but they are more threatening than I surface warships. And that brings up I two fpiostions now under discussion. ] "The use by a belligerent of a neutral : nation's flag is not to be condemned— j it has been practised in all modern wars. And touching on the other question, I do not fee wliv the Germans are not within their rights in establishing a war zone in the waters around Great Britain and Ireland. "What arouses comment is that this is a new condition of warfare—a submarine blockade, whoso effect is more largely produced by fear than perform- , ance. It is quite a cheap way of blockading ports, and T think our own Uncle i Sam should study that proposition for . his own protection. We liave opportunity to establish several zones, and the use in them of "00 or -400 submarines would throw a scare into the vessels of every other nation."

"What is your opinion as to the 'probable length of the war and the victor?" "T think" two years more will see the end." said Edison.

"H is a question of food and supplies, of course, If the Germans run short of food, Ijioy will have to give up. T haven't a doubt that the Allies will win. I do not see how it is possible for the Germans to win, no matter hotf brave they are. Everything is' against them. But I think Germany will win when she loses. Instead of vesting her governmental authority in four or five men sitting round a green table she will become a. republic, for she will adopt the present English system. "With her superior training methods she will be on top of us- all within fifty years. She will have pot rid of her terrible burden of taxation —that is, if the Allies do not put in too large a bill, itemised. Tier captains of industry will be given fre-lom to act for the best in : ierests of Cr-rniany and themselves individually. AVhen a country gives her captains of industry freedom of action, that country will have prosperity."