The Daily News. THURSDAY JULY 13, 1916. GERMANY REALISING THE POSITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1916, Page 3

The Daily News. THURSDAY JULY 13, 1916. GERMANY REALISING THE POSITION.

At laat the true import of the. Allies' offensive on the Eastern and Western fronts is drawing upon the people of Germany, Austria and Hungary. Apparently the process of throwing dust in the eyes of the people will no longer serve the German authorities in their desire to prevent the truth toeing known. Bent as the Teutonic community are to the iron will of their imperious rulers, they still possess the common feelings of humanity to some degree, and it is evident that they no longer possess that fanatic confidence in the invincibility of German aims. To comprehend the position it must be remembered that in Germany there is a high dividing wall 'between the two classes—the rulers (including what is generally termed the military caste, from whom the arm;;' and naval officers are. drawn) and thi; people. The former are the artificers and the latter the mere tools or implements for the use of the craftsmen in State affairs—tools so tempered in the making that they readily execute their assigned work, but, all the same, having a latent capacity for banning tlie users, under certain circumstance*. In recent cables relating to events in Germany two most remarkable facts having an important bearing on the war were noticeable. The first matter that will have struck the readers is that the unrest of tiio German press and the people is far more extensive and weighty than is generally supposed. The strong criticisms that have been levelled against the German Chancellor, who has acted throughout as the oracle of Kaiserdom in trying to hoodwink the nation not only as to the cause of the war, but as to Germany's certainty of proving victorious, have evoked a semi-official explanation from Herr Bethmann-Hollweg as to what the Qennana are flrfiting for. It will

Lc noted that the Chancellor still clings to the threadbare myth that his country was tin: victim of attack and not the attacker, and lie places in the forefront of Germany's requirements, before peace can be arranged, the closing of the doors to such an attack as is now being made on Germany's heart from strategic positions in Belgium, France and the East, la other words, he claims as an inalienable right that his country shall be free to raid and oppress any and all of her .weaker neighbors when and how she pleases, but that there must be no possible avenue left open for retaliation or even prevention. The bully must have his opponents bound and fettered that he may be .harmless when goaded to action. How Ilerr Hollweg could so glibly mention the strategic positions referred to is beyond ordinary comprehension, and needs a lengthy drilling in kultur to render the process even remotely possible. The very idea is too l absurd for anything outside a Gilbertian extravaganza. His second reason is equally preposterous. Russia must be pushed back behind the rivers (and presumably kept there in impotency), while Poland is to be jam between the sandwich, or, as the Chancellor puts it, the buffer State, to take the blows from both sides. Poor, oppressed Poland! As if her sufferings in the past had not been quite enough to stir up all the latent pity in the hearts of lier oppressors! And yet Herr Hollweg would prolong lier agony for all time. Lastly, the Chancellor insists that assurances shall develop unhindered, which means that the world's capital shall How stronger than ever into Germany's coffers that the dream of world dominance by force of arms and commerce shall yet be realised in the not very distant future. The people of Germany have asked the Chancellor for bread, and he has given tkem a stone. It is significant that there is no longer any talk of German aggran- ! disement, no mention of spoils to the victors, no boast—not even a suggestien --of the invincibility of the Teutonic armies. In place of that we are told that a great change has come over the outlook of Germany, and that the people no longer show even a comparative cohfidence ia their country's success, but are evincing the deepest anxiety, even the higher circles, civil and military, being filled with forebodings. Nor could it be otherwise, for the truth a.s to the Allies' might and power is being realised, and the official "notifications that the Allies have gained no serious advantage are compared with the Allies' communiques as to progress and success. There can be but one result when the full facts become known. The shadow of disaster will add to the sufferings of the nation resulting from the war, for the fear of hearing the march of the Allies on Berlin will become greater day by day, especially when it is known that the country's man power has been exhausted. A recent Copenhagen message stated that the dismay exhibited on the German Western front is reflected in Berlin. How desperate the situation is can be judged by the suggestion of starving the British prisoners in German hands. In the East and on the West the might of the Allies is slowly, but surely, crushing the enemy, and there is every indication that Germany has now reached tke end of her tether as far as man-p«wer is concerned, and is now.pressing mere youths into service, lust as we may expect the truth to prevail, so are we confident in the success of the Allies' cause. Herr Hollweg has shown that his country is a distinct menace to civilisation, and it will be for her good to undergo a purifying process thrsugh the furnace which the Allies are now preparing.