THE CRAVING FOR PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1916, Page 5

THE CRAVING FOR PEACE.

EFFECT ON PRISONERS' TALES. UNDER AN EVIL SPELL. SURPRISES OF THE WAR. .Received July 1!), 7.30 p.m. London, July 18. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes questioning whether prisoners were in a position to ascertain the German view points of our attack and the Germans' prospeeets. It is, lie says, difficult to obtain a real indication of the spirit of the German people. Many of the prisoners are still (lazed; some are proud and sullen; others are ready to talk, but are ignorant of anything outside the dug-outs. All have a great craving for peace, and wish to see their wives and children. The prevailing thought reveals itself frequently that they fight in obedience to higher powers and cannot help themselves. A doctor said: "You are strong and we are strong; neither can crush the other. I!' the war continues it will be Knrope' suicide." Many said they hart been promised that they had been promised that the war would cud in August or September. The oldisei's believed they were winning, and were confident of the strength of the lines on the West front. They did not believe that derencs lik those at Frieourt and Montuuban would ever be broken. They always speak of our artillery with terror. Our new power amazed them. Officers especially admit they never imagined that amateur gunners, as they call the British, could achieve uch results. They always haw a great respect for our infantry's courage, but count the strength of the armies by the strength of the guns. They knew that until recent *days, they possessed greater power, and th epossibility of defeat was not mentioned. All are still convinced that the army will never be beaten to the point of surrender. They now know the English are stronger than they anticipated, but they talk of an other inevitable Anglo-German war ten years hence, having been taught that the British throughout were the aggressors and that Germany will eek revenge. Many frankly express'hatred of the war, as being the cause of horrors and suffering beyond man's strength to bear, and talk like men until an evil spell placed on them by unknown and uncontrollable powers. The ignorance of most of the prisoners is remarkable, yet they mostly I conceal the fact of having been kept unaware of the series of defeats, and stoutly deny suffering and hunger in Germany. HEAVY FIGHTING IN j PROGRESS. ■ ■ ERMAN ATTACK AT LONGUEVAL. J Renter Service, " $ Received July 1!), 7.30 p.m. ' [ London, July 18. General Haig reports that the Ger '' mans, after a bombardment with lacliry i matorv gas shells, began an attack ii. the vicinity of Longueval and Oiville Wood. Heavy fighting ig in progress. , ! i;