The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1917. GERMANY'S LATEST SCHEMES.
It is Germany's metier at present to propound sensational projects, so as to keep alive the ambition of the German people, as exemplified in the Kaiser's marvellous conceit in posing as a conqueror of the world. Hence, periodically, there comes to light startling items on tho Hun programme, so as to convey the impression that Germany's power is still as great as ever, and that its (so-called) invincible armies in the field, and its equally irrepressible host of paid intriguers, can cover the map of the world with German victories, This policy is designed to wean attention from the rapidly waning man-power of the country, as well as from the ever-increasing hardships which the people are forced to endure. Sacrifices are cheerfully made when the attainment of a great purpose is within reach, but it is a vastly different matter when disaster is inevitable. The collapse of Russia is being ma.de to serve as an indication that Germany's triumph is now assured, and the feverish haste of the flabby extremists to save their skins and sacrifice their country by accepting ternra of peace dictated by the enemy is doing the German authorities a good turn. As a consequence we find that among the latest German schemes is the restoration of Czardom, for the purpose of strengthening autocracy against the great wave of democratic development. The Russian pacifists appear to be quite prepared to plunge the country into a deeper abyss than ever; to jettison the new freedom the people have acquired after centuries of oppression, and to rank as a Teutonic vassal State, and, to facilitate this descent to Avernus, Prussian militarism is quite ready and only too willing to lend a hand. The release of German troops from the Russian front opens up plausible visions of conquest on other fronts and permits of the announcement of great schemes of aggrandisement, besides the overthrow of the hated British. : Therefore, the scheme for restoring Czardom in Russia, under German supermacy, will undoubtedly be worked for all it is worth. The Becond trump card in the Teutonic gamble is an offensive against Salonika, the driving out of the AngloFrench forces, and the restoration of the treacherous Constantine, also under German vassalage. Meanwhile Prussian militarists are striving their iutmost to crush Italy, so as to give further scope to Hun ambition and to provide additional bases for submarines, as well as rewards for the German Allies. Fortunately, the Italians are holding up this scheme by a defence that will live in history, and, it is to be hoped, will dispel another of the many German illusions. There is is yet another malevolent card in the hand which Germany is playing— | the invasion of Switzerland, so as to deliver a crushing attack on the AngloFrench and Italians. The Paris journal Le Matin gives point to this last scheme by asserting that Hindenburg is massing all available forces for this attack, and it is considered he will no more hesitate to push his way through Switzerland than the German staff did in the case of Belgium. There are three ways in which German violation of Swiss territory are possible. In the south, from Austria, through tho Grisons valley into Italy, but the difficulties, especially in winter, are so great as to render such a route practically impossible. From the German side the frontier could be crossed at two principal points—through the gap of Porrentruy (via Ferette) and by way of Schaffhausen, debouching by the valley of the Aar, the former being the easier of the two. The most attractive attack on Switzerland, if it were made part of a general offensive on the Western front, would be a flank operation, so as to threaten the industrial heart of France. The Germans are considered by military authorities to be contemplating an attempt to force a passage through Switzerland. »nd it
I they can muster sufficient forces, would | probably proceed simultaneously against all tbo three points mentioned. The , Swiss, however, may be relied upon to contest every inch of ground. They have always been proud of their army, which is famous for its skill with the rille; but that army is small, although every fit man is made a soldier. In 1914 the mobilisation of half a million troops wag ordered, and since then it is probable that every available man lias joined the colors, "'for it is a point nf honor among the Swiss to serve in the army. Even with her small force Switzerland I would doubtless put up as determined a barrier to German violation of neutrality as did Belgium, and would bo equally successful. Germany k growing more ,<nd more desperate and ruthless, ,«o that there is no forecasting the limits of her disregard of the rights of nations, or where the next act of lawlessness may, be committed. Hitherto Switzerland has kept out of the war, and to violate her neutrality would he the crowning piece of infamy of Kaiscrdom.
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Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1917, Page 4
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838The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1917. GERMANY'S LATEST SCHEMES. Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1917, Page 4
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