The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1916. THE GERMANS' AWAKENING.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1916. THE GERMANS' AWAKENING.

When the Kaisei and his coadjutors made up their minds to embark on a wild' - scheme of world conquest, they never for a moment gave the slightest heed to ihe possibility of Britain entering into the war. To all intents and purposes Britain, from a German point of view, was committed to a peace policy that would endure almost any strain before a rupture took place. Tt must be remembered that the German Intelligence Department had been for many years actively engaged 'n collecting information in England in every circle, from the highest to_ the lowest, so that they felt assured that they were in full possession of the real sentiments of the British nation with regard to standing aloof from tile war. There is little doubt that if the reports of the German spies were available for inspection {hey would reveal some startling theories and facts bearing on Britain's disinclination for war as evidenced by her small army and lack of warlike material. This was Germany's initial mistake, and one for which she is now paying dearly. The "contemptible little army" has been converted into armed millions; the dominions have rallied round the Motherland, while India and South Africa, have nobly responded to the call. This was another surprise for the olerman people, who were fed up on assertions that if England went to war the : .eople of India, Africa and the dominions, as well as of Ireland, would seize the opportunity of throwing off what was insidiously described as the British yoke. The great Moltke would never have countenanced .such utterly fictitious and absurd propaganda. The battlefields on the Sonvme have torn these myths to shreds, staid the German people are awakening to the realities of the contest. Their "invincible" armies are being not only defeated, but routed, and in place of the great victory promised by Hindenburg there is a formidable list of losses that denotes the power and might of the Anglo-French offensive. The German press, 'obeying instructions from the authorities, told the people that France was bleeding to death, and that England wa3 deliberately withholding her aid, while at the same time the British aVmy was scoffed at as existing only on paper. The awakening has eouio with a suddenness and impressive force as if by the thun"l der of the Allied artillery and the hurricane of shells on the Somme front, the intensity of which is dilated upon as an exhibition of savagery. There is talk in Berlin of the iron wail in the West being broken through, but in spite of the object lesson of Corn'oles and othei places on the West front, the German press represents Hindeinburg as saying that the Allies cannot break It would be interesting to know at what point Hindenburg has determined to say, "Thus far shall the enemy advance and no further." The people of Germany are awakening to their danger. They have become reconciled to the abandonment of all hope of conquest, but there are signs that they are. .fearing being conquered, and this has engendered an ardent desire for peace. The process of disillusionment has been slow, but Is now gathering a momentum that may be. productive of great events. Recent . Berlin messages to Swiss newspapers ■ emphasise the seriousness of the military situation, and indicate that intrigues are flourishing, also that nervousness is becoming acute, but even yet the actual truth of the state of affairs is not allowed to become known, though it is gradually filtering through. Hindenburg has been made the idol of the German people. Ho promised them a great vic- ! Tory, and not coloisal defeats. T:ie i blockade is pressing heavily on the masses and the German navy is more impotent than ever,to remedy the evil. The only question t|at matters is as to

how long Teutonic patriotism will stand tin! terrible :-(.r;i:n it is now tailed upon to endure. The Allies have only just commenced In make t'heir power fell, and as it develop* the hopelessness of the struggle mint take linn hold of the (Jennan peo])le. As a military factor this may not count, for much, for the struggle must continue to the bitter end. At the same time the awakening of the German people to the inevitable ,'csult of the war cannot fail to have an effect in shortening its duration.