The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1918. A KNOCK-OUT BLOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1918. A KNOCK-OUT BLOW.

Undoubtedly the best way of finishing the war would be by administering Germany the "knockout," for that would be outward and visible evidence to the most fatuous pan-German that militarism, had been defeated at its own game, and had brought disaster and ignominy upon the nation that for fifty years had deified war. It might prolong the war a few months more, but to achieve such a conclusive -result almost any sacrifice is justified. Marshal Foch has not allowed the armistice discussions to disturb his plans for the enemy's annihilation. His attacks are gathering force day by day, while the enemy is being manoeuvred into positions that may before long entail him in dire peril. Keuter's correspondent significantly remarks: "Ithasbecome a habit of speech to say that the enemy is still unbroken and unbeaten, but if things continue much longer at the present rate we shall suddenly awake to a realisation that this statement has ceased to be true." It has been Marshal Foch's policy, since he turned on the surprised Huns on the Mame, to give them no respite, launching offensive after offensive, cumulating in power and range. Conflicts are raging now from Ghent totheMoselle,andthey are promising to be the most stupendous fights of the war. To this great climax Marshal Foch has been working up for months. He has told us that the greatest battle has yet to come. Maybe we are on its threshold. The vaunted Prussian military machine has met more than its match, and it is visibly tottering. Marshal Foeli's plan, as laid down by himself, is "to throw in at the finish, without any idea of saving them for future use, all available reserves, in an engagement surpassing in violence and energy all the earlier phases of the battle. In this onslaught there must be three factors—surprise, mass and speed." The enemy will be unable to divine where the final smashing blow will be delivered on such a large front aflame with battle. As for reserves; theAlliesnowhavethem in millions —tried, seasoned troops, anxious to administer the coup de grace to the greatest brute and bully in Europe. It is to be hoped the blow will fall before he sues for peace, for the history of this war proves abundantly that the Hun will only learn his lesson when he is beaten to his knees. If Marshal Foch is unable to deliver the "knock-out" before he sends the enemy reeling across the Rhine, it is certain he will do so early next year, when he will be able to encircle Germany, through Austria and Eussia, while carrying on, during the winter months of field inactivity, aerial attacks on the German towns on an unparalleled scale. When beloved Berlin, Potsdam, Munich, etc., are subjected to the same medicine as their citizens prescribed for their inoffensive neighbors, the cry for peace will be even more insistent. The German military are opposed to asking for an armistice again. They are now aware of the nature of the Allies' terms, which are unconditional surrender. They have guilty consciences—if a German can be credited with a conscience—and realise what is in store for them. They will probably fight on in the mistaken belief that time may bring a change to their advantage. It is a different matter with the people at home. They know that the game is up, and that'they must soon face the inevitable. They realise that all their sacrifices have been in vain; but of any evidence of contrition, or sincere regret for the great harm done the world by their, nation for over four years, there is not a scrap. They only feel that they have lost the war; that "luck has been against them". We have got to see that the lessons of their infamy are burned into their hearts, and that no possible chance is ever given them again of making war, either on land or sea. We do not want vindictive vengeance, but just retribution; otherwise, the war will have been waged in vain.