THE PRISONERS' VIEWPOINT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 172, 20 July 1916, Page 5

THE PRISONERS' VIEWPOINT.

, GERMANS INTERROGATES. MEN UNDER A SPELL. ' (Australia a and S.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 19. The following dispatch from Mr. Philip Gibbs has been published:—"l have questioned prisoners to ascertain the German view of our attack and Germany's prospects. It is difficult to obtain a.real indication of the'spirit of the German. - people. Many prisoners, are still dazed, some arc proud and sullen, and others are ready to :,talk, but are ignorant of anything outside their dug-outs... All show a great cravjng for peace.in-order that they may see their wives and children. The prevailing thought reveals itself frequently that theyfight Jn obedience to higher powers,-and cannot, help tliem .'...£ "A doctor said: "You are -strong;' we are strong..- Neither • can- crush-the

other. If the war continues it will hi the suicide of Europe.' Many prisoner: said they had been promised that tin war.would end in August or September, The soldiers said they believed they were winning. They tvere confident of the strength of their lines in the Westjvand did not believe that -defences like "JTricourt and Montauban could ever; be broken. i'-vs"- ?- ---' "They always speak of the British artillery with "terror. Its: new.--power. amazes them. Officers especially admit that they did not imagine-that amateur gunners-as they calf the Bfitish-could achieve such.; results.; They always had a great respect for the courage of British infantrjvbut they counted the strengtu of armies by the strength of guns, and knew that until recent, days,they possessed greater power. The possibility of.defeat was not mentioned. AlHare stiil convinced that the German army will never be beateni to the point ofsur- ' render. Now that they know-the British are stronger than they anticipated l tbey talk of another inevitable Anglo-German war years hence. They have been taught that the British throughout wcir.e2.ihe aggressors, and say.that Germany .will seek revenge. " ..'.';'. , ~_ v vy-.T-:*"Hi.-~-"Many prisonersjfrankly express their hatred of war as'being 'cause of horrors and suffering ■ beyond Irian's strength to bear.- They talk likejaer under an evil spell rdaced on them by tat known and uncontrollable powers. .'The ignorance of moat - of ; the. prisoners is remarkable, yet they mostly conceal the fact that they- have : been kept" —iawan lof 3. series of defeats. Theystoutly d_ 13 I that there U-.su£erjjgg)3g&£gg)ger. ii