END OF WAR THIS WINTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1916, Page 8

END OF WAR THIS WINTER.

WAVE OF OPTIMISM OVER LONDON. HINTS OF NEW DRIVE. London, November 27. A remarkable wave of optimism is now spreading through official circles in London, which is reflected in the buoynnec of the Stock Exchange. Conservative men in clubland are. sufficiently elated to-night to wager that the war will be finished in three months, but upon what concrete information or grounds their opinions are based it is impossible to learn. Nevertheless, an atmosphere of confidence permeates well - informed circles in London. The food shortage in Germany, which the Sun disclosed ten days before London realised the truth in this direction, has been confirmed. In reliable reports furnished to the Government particular stress is laid on the fact that in out-of-the-way places in Germany meat rations have been reduced to a minimum, and the people are obliged to stand in line for hours to ensure this dole. Considerable stress, according to the informant of the Sun, is laid on the fact that the German masses place reliance on the Kaiser's promise that the war will not last through another winter, and the best information is that despite inspired German statements Germany is really anxious for peace, and for terms by which some moiety of her self-respect can be saved. It is significant to recall in this connection, as pointed out in previous cables, how Vorwacrts, which had been suppressed, and also other German papers were permitted recently to plead openly for and to discuss peace. The contributory causes of this optimism are undoubtedly the wonderful success of the French loan, the massing of Russian troops on the Roumanian border, with hints of the coming free use of the Danube, the suggestion that the. German domination of Turkey Is Becoming irksome, and the possibility that the Bulgarians, after securing what they desired in Macedonia, will decline 'to advance further In the cause of Germany There arc hint* and rumors of new Allied activities which the correspondent cannot specifically indicate. Throughout responsible London to-night it is significant that in certain official quarters where during the past fortnight the correspondent had encountered distinct pessimism there is now a positive optimism