The Daily News. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1918. GERMANY'S POSITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1918. GERMANY'S POSITION.

A careful survey of the war position and the conditions which exist m Germany and Austro-Hnngary reveals that the time has arrived when the Central Powers must stake their fate 011 a filial contest with the Allies. Germany has reached the. end of her tether so far as intrigue is concerned; her side-shows are closed: Russia and Roumania. are out of the struggle, and there is nothing left for the Teutons but to attempt a decisive blow on the Allies in the West. However much or little importance we may attach to the internal troubles of the Central Powers, it is fairly clear that the tactics which they have been adopting to keep up the hopes of their people in victories are no longer of service, and there are ever increasing murmurs against the prolongation of the war, as well a? 1 growing feeling in favor of democracy. To these causes may be attributed the desperate efforts of the Pail-Germans to dominate the situation, and as their policy is to foster that militarism on which the Ilohenzollerns depend for the maintenance of the dynasty, it is not surprising that for the time being at least, theirs is the voice that prevails. They care nothing for the people except as to utilising them as a means to an end, but the masses are slowly though surely awakening to their position, which has been emphasised by what has happened in Russia. There is now no alternative for the Central Powers. All their hypocrisy about peace has fallen flat. The British Premier and the President of the United States have clearly stated the Allies' war aims and intentions, negatively and positively, and there are 110 terms which Germany can offer that have the slightest chance of acceptance. So far Orinany has avoided coming out in the open to tost her military strength and tactics against the Allies, but the time has arrived when the music must be faced under far different conditions to those which existed two years ago. ITor vast armies cannot be kept inactive, and there is the additional factor that- the longer she delays her supreme effort, the hftavicr will by her handicap as represented by America's weight against her. There is, moreover, a consensus of expert opinion that despite the large addition to her forces 011 the West front by the transfer of men from the Eastern theatre, the Allies maintain their superiority in strength. There is yet another very important point to ho borne in mind, namely, that the Germans will have to take the offensive while the Allies adopt defensive tactics, having the advantage of superior positions and ample supplies of munitions, Germany counted on annihilating Italy, but with the aid of Britain and France the Italians have been rehabilitated, and though the help was a great tax 011 the Allies' resources the sacrifice was well worth making. Under these circumstances it is evident that the Germans had only one course to pursue, hence the preparations for that big offensive on, which they are now concentrating, The Allied commanders know exactly what to expect 'For the first two years of the war they were 011 the defensive and adopted a policy of wearing down the enemy, in which they were gratifyingly successful. They can point to the defeat of the enemy on the Marne, in 1 Flanders, at Verdun and other strategic | points, which ruined the military repu-

tation of many of Germany's most prominent commanders and took an mormons toll of enemy nun ipower. Die success of tlie Allies in preventing' the German* from breaking through lo Paris and Calais proved that lite AngloFrench can hold on like grim death, 110 matter' how desperate may he the assault they have to meet. May it not, therefore, be reasonably contended that when success was achieved by the Allies in. their defensive operations when the enemy had the advantage of superiority of men and munitions, that now, when Britain and France are at the zenith of their strength and Germany is on the downgrade, the task of successfully resisting enemy efforts will be accomplished? The Germans may be desperate, but Uie Allies are determined, and fliere is 110 doubt that they have arrived at a decision in favor of no compromise. All they have to do is to bold on while America builds up, and transports her enormous power,and then put an end to military depotism, thus terminating the war. '.L'here is nothing' to be gained either by magnifying or minimising the task which now faces the Allies. It is bound to be severe, and may entail heavy losses, but there should be a feeling of confidence throughout the Empire, as well as in France, Belgium, and Italy, that the il issue will be with us and that the Allies war aims will bo. achieved. But for the defection of Russia, the Allies would certainly have forestalled the German offensive. Under existing circumstances they will for a time act 011 the -Tensive. Meanwhile fliere is a steady flow of American soldiers to France, atid when the time for action arrives Germany will certainly find that in spite of all her boasting, as voiced by the jingoistic von Tirpitz, the Entente Powers will prove too strong for even Teutonic might to break, and that in the attempt the last "hope of the Huns will be lispelj-ed. It 'is Germany's last, card, but she has really jost the game before the card is played. The prospect of the appalling losses that must inevitably be suffered would possibly make the Germans pause before forcing a fina'l issue, but there is an impelling force which leaves her no option. The bursting ot the military storm will clear the atmosphere, but over the terrible prospect of bloodshed it'is as well tb draw the veil.