The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1915. THE OUTLOOK.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1915. THE OUTLOOK.

This morning's cable news contains a very comprehensive and interesting statement relative to tho probable strength of the enemy forces. It appears that the total of the Germans on the two fronts on July 31 was only 3,200,C00, and that appears lo be the largest number that the enemy has available, the German casualties having, to June 30, reached close upon two millions. It is pointed out that they may yet increase their equipment by about -100,000, bid, in spite of this great falling off in war strength, the Berlin newspapers and many public men arc busily cngiigjd in jubilating over the prospect of dividing the lion's skin, while trio German experts on international law are burning the midnight oil in the congenial but fruitless work of'preparing blackmail bills against certain neutral States. The German people are being led to believe that the burden of the war must be borne by their enemies, and their lust for loot is stimulated by fiery speeches by the German Chancellor, whose recent chauvinistic utterances were so highly spiced as to suit the palate of the people and inflame their ardor lo bear the constantly increasing war expenditure. It is easy to understand how the people have been deceived right through the piece. They know only what they are permitted to know, and particular care is taken that only such news is served out as will suit the purpose of the powers that be. When the truth is known tiie eyes of the people will be open, but it will be too late then for the facts to be of use, as the fate of the nation will be sealed. Winter iu the northern hemisphere is approaching, and we have already been told (hat the German bankers can only see bankruptcy staring their country iu the face if the war is prolonged beyond October. What, then, is the position? The utmost efforts of Gorman strategists, assisted by an abnormal supply of munitions, have n>t broken the Russian front. At the Dardanelles the Turks are in a parlous plight as the result of the recent operations on land and in the Sea of Marmora. On tho western front the Germans have not only been held up, but are slowly yet surely being driven back. The only ray of sunshine that has fallen to the Germans is the empty victories in the cast, against which the defeat of the attempt on Riga looms large. Under sucli circumstances it is not surprising that the German Chancellor strove hard to fan the reviving hopes of a

disappointed nation with dreams of conquest, visions of large slices of the lion's skin, plus enormous indemnities, and, above all, the crushing and humiliating of Britain, whoso place as the sovereign of the seas is to bo usurped by Germany—if she gets the chance. How impossible is tho realisation of these alluring hallucinations probably no one really knows better than Herr BethmannHollwcg. On the other hand, it is interesting to note that, although Britain and her allies were at the outbreak of the war quite unprepared, time has played into their hands. Week by week they have grown stronger. Guns, shells, munitions of every kind are being poured out from British, French, Italian, Japanese, and American factories, and before long the Russian factories will produce their large quota. The Allies may be said to be only settling down to their work. Kitchener's new army, the extent of which we are as yet unaware, is ready for the forward move. The French forces are also ready for the great attack. The dominions are all pouring out their thousands of men for tho same purpose. The munition problem lias been solved, and apparently the one object that delays the advance is the completion of the operations at the Dardanelles. Meanwhile Italy is opening a way into Southern Austria; the Balkan States are composing their past differences, Servia having agreed to meet Bulgaria; Roumania is about to move; Greece is preparing. Every week must Bee the strength and prospects of tho Allies improved, and the longer Russia can hold tlie Austro-Gernians' the better position will the Allies be in to strike for victory. We do not suggest that the task will be easy—far from it—But the outlook was never more encouraging, and should bo accepted with confidence.