The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 2G, 1915. DURATION OF THE WAR.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LXXIV, Issue 3409, 26 March 1915, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 2G, 1915. DURATION OF THE WAR.

Sir John French's statement that he anticipated definite victory in three months' time is one of the best items of news received for a long time. The length of tbe war has been the subject of much debate, and it seemed hardly likely that the Germans could be turned back so soon. One great Englinh military authority, at the beginning of the wa", t redicted tbat tbo Germans won'rl not have such a good time as they thought. Ho de ciared tbat tbe whole of the German system of warfare was based on constant victory. A German soldier was never taught how to conduct himself in a retreat or how to snatch victory out of defeat. All the German mili tary training was based on tha assump fcion that the eagle carries everything in front of it. Reverses inflicted on soldiers trained in this manner would hwe a demoralising effect, and such appears to be the experience now. Then, if tbe stories told by German deserters are to be believed, a large proportion of the soldiers do not like the treatment of the Belgians any bet fcer than the re3t of the world, In company witb Sir John French's as surance that three months of bitter fighting will see the war ended, comes a warning from the London "Daily Malt." The "Dally Mail" considers chat the enemy will inflict terrible losses on our men before they are driven back to Berlin; but perhaps it will be a war of munitions, as an nounced elsewhere. Whatever is in store for us, it is certain that everyone is prepared to do his best for tbe Empire, and if sacrifices are required they will be made in a good spirit. It is to be hoped that a few months will see the end of this devastating war, and tbat out of the ashes will rise a well established and lasting peace.