The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1916. MORALE OF GERMAN OFFENSIVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1916. MORALE OF GERMAN OFFENSIVE.

N»w that the first phase of the German iurieus onslaught at Verdun lias ended iu failure, it would not be out of place to take a cursory glance at the results as affecting the future of the war. There can be no doubt that the Kaiser and his military chiefs carefully planned the attack and provided what they considered would be an irresistible force of men and artillery to break through the French lines at Verdun and thus pave the way for striking a decisive blow at the Allies in "the confident assurance of victory. Apparently, the German authorities considered it was "now or never," 1 and they struck with fill their available force, but the Freach withstood the shock—probably the most furious ever recorded in the annals of warfare—and the attack signally failed. It is interesting to note the views of the British press an the result of the •perations. The Daily Telegraph eon, sidei's that nothing could be more hopeful than the present position at Verdun; (1) because the French, with indomitable gallantry and persistence (which has been the admiration of the whole world), repulsed the attack; (2) because the costliness of the attacks tells tremendously against the Teuton h'.pes for the future. The Sauuday Kevew considers that though some square miles of new territory are in German hands the French have broken th<> attack and gained in morale :md csniideiice, while they have never keen m»re sure of victory. Scandinavian opinion, according to Mr. Dillon, construes the tremendous onslaught as Germany's final desperate efort to score a victory before the dejection, which is now rapidly spreading among the peoples of the Central PoY/ers, paralyses their waning strength, which has been strained to snapping point. It is extremely probable that this Scandinavian view is very close to the truth, Every week that the war is proUriged materially increases the hardships and sufferings of the people of Germany and Austria, while the neutral nations are it»w also feeling the strain. Germany knows full well that she must either obtain a decisive victery—which is beyand her ability—»r put herself in such a favorable position as to be able to negotiate terms of peace. Hence her failure te accomplish her object at Verdun has a most important bearing on the future ef the war. Kever were the French so confident as at the present moment, and never had the Allies such a faveraßle outUok for success as now, for their resources are coming to maturity while those «f the enemy are on the wane. The second phase of the Venlun operations has commenced with redoubled violence, but so far the Germans have only repulses with cruel losses to their debit. There, is a natural anxiety evinced as to what will happen, but over all is an unshaken confidence in the ability of the French to defy the German attempt to break through. Douaumont is little more than a shambles, but is stil the scone of fierce fighting. It is noticeable that one of the German papers is deprecating this terrible struggle and making comments that may be construed as overtures for peace. Had Germany's conduct of the war been in accord with the usages of civilisation there might have been a possibility of arranging terms of peace, but she. has cut that ground from under her fet, and now the Allies are fully and firmly resolved not to end the war until they can also give the final stroke that will destroy the menace of German militarism.