GENERAL NOGI'S PREDICTION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 14 October 1914, Page 5

GENERAL NOGI'S PREDICTION

The French paper Excelsior publishes the following extract from a speech by General Nogi, the celebrated Japanese commander, delivered at the siege of Port Arthur ten years ago:—"The great war of the future will have Europe as its field of operation, and will decide the Franco-German conflict and the Anglo-German rivalry. France and Germany will perform that decisive part in Belgium, very probably near Waterloo, which is the only place allowing the deployment of the formid-. able masses who will combat. The frontier of France and Germany, as it actually exists, bristles too much with fortifications for? two enemies to cross it. The result of this war does not appear to me to be doubtful. The French will beat the Germans on land and the English will inflict maritime defeat. This war will be the last Mruggle by force Of arms which will be produced in 'Europe., Civilised States will emerge from this crisis so much spent and terrified that they will only consider, how to constitute a sort -.ofcoalition in oider to avoid any event of that kind in future." •