GERMANY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 271, 1 November 1916, Page 5

GERMANY.

The Hindenburg 1 Interview. OPTIMISTIC WITH AN OBJECT. WORDS TO CHEER THE TEUTONS. [UNITED SERVICE.] London, Oct. 31. General von Hindenburg (Chief of the German General Staff), interviewed by the Vienna “Neue Freie Press,” said: “All will go well. Germany has still sufficient soldiers and Austrian reinforcements are not yet used up. Our western front is impregnable. The people of Austro-Hungary have risen to all the sacrifices which they have been called on to make, but they must still face further sacrifices in order that those past might not be in vain.” The correspondent interjected that Austro-Hungary* was anxious for the war to end. General Hindenburg replied: We all want that. When reminded of his own reported statement that the' war can only be terminated in the east, General Hindenburg replied: There’ is no set scheme where or how victory will be gained. The decision may come in the west or the east.. Asked how long the war would last, he said: That depends on our enemies. It is possible that 1917 will bring battles which will decide the war. I do not know. Nobody knows. I only know that we shall fight on to a decision. The French and Russian armies seem to be exhausted. Asked as to the possibility of ending the war by a decisive blow, he replied: It is obvious that it was easier to strike a decisive blow at the time of the Tannerberg battle than now.

He was glad of the Rumanians’ entry, because it brought out one German army from trench warfare. The war will, hardly modify the opinion of British military achievements. . They especially lack great strategists. Everything is going on splendidly’ against the Rumanians, who are gttting their deserts. Hindenburg concluded that he had had only seven days’ furlough during the war. His only recreation was sleeping. . , General Hindenburg added : Should the British demand a similar offensive in the spring, the rest will perish. The French do not realise the price Britain is costing. General von Ludendorff (Quarter-master-General) supported Hindenburg’s eulogy of the achievements of Germany and her allies.* He added that Germany’ would not think of peace. She had absolutely 7 decided to continue the wai’. The interview . has disappointed the Vienna public, who expected a more optimistic statement. r A FEELER FOR PEACE. “WE AVANT EUROPE TO LIVE.” I AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN. Amsterdam, Oct. 31. The “Vorwaerts,” commenting on Hindenburg’s interview*, advises France not to act further as an obstacle to peace. It adds that its advice would be more likely* to be accepted if we were reasonable in not offering an obstacle. If we are going to drag out the war indefinitely, the w’hole of Europe will bleed to death, and America and the coloured races become our heirs. We want Europe to live; not only* Germany, but the other nations who have done so much for the progress of the world. GENERALS SHELVED FOR FAILURE. [AUSTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN. J Berne, Oct. 31. According to the Mannheim “Volkstimme” one major-general, tw*o brigade generals and three colonels belonging to the Crown Prince’s armies were placed on the v retired list, as a punishment for the Verdun defeat.