A FORECAST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 281, 25 November 1914, Page 6

A FORECAST.

PROPHECY OF SIX YEARS AGO.

Some six years ago the French periodical "Depeche Colonial," published under the title "Does Germany Want War?" the gist of an interview Mons.J Joseph Monet had with a highly-placed German shortly after France had taken possession of Morocco. M. Monet discussed the probabilities of Germany finding a caustis belli against France in the Moroccan affair. The German intimated that his country might bluster a bit about Morocco, but would not go beyond bluff just then, though he hiiited that France must rest assured that Germany had no intention of allowing France to enjoy for long the advantage she had gained in North Africa. There would be war not at once, but within not a very extended period, with both France and Britain, was the German's firm opinion, and his opinion he indicated was public opinion in Germany. He added:— [ "In German military circles there is a rooted conviction that war between England and Germany is inevitable. At present such a war is not feasible, but iii five year's' time Germany thinks she will be able to conquer you at the same time on land."

"Isn't that rather a large order?" asked M. Monet. "Large or not, it must be. I am always stating the general opinion in Germany as it exists or as it has* been forwarded, whichever way you'like to put it. According to that 6'pihiOri, Germany can hardly breathe within her frontiers, and she must have more provinces—Champagne, for instance, and what still remains, to you of Lorraine, and Franehe Co'mte. German teacher's say this quite frankly to their pupils."

M. Monet mentioned something [about the effect of a long war, and the {Gorman' frankly avowed that if the Trijpljce could keep going for six months [Germany would be obliged to seek peace, adding: "She knows it; she [knows that if the war lasted more than [six months she would be .ruined, her [treasury depleted, and her population idecimated by poverty. As a matter iof fact, she is also not unaware that jthe blockade of her North Spa ports (would cost her over £600,000,000.

! "And peace, what would peace cost iher?" asked M. Monet. "Pessimists who arc the wise among jus have calculated this out very exactly. The conditions of peace imposed on a beaten Germany would be, in their opinion the following: The surrender of iMetz and Lorraine to France; the neutralisation 'of Alsace, under th»> government of a prince elected by Europe ; Schleswig-Holstejn to be giv.cn. jback.to Denmark; an indemnity of i£Bo,'ooo,ooo to be paid to France. iwludh would acquire the Cameroon* .and Togoland. Britain would . seize German East Africa and German South-West Africa, would retake Heligoland in Europe, and would demand six German ironclads and twelv.e German cruisers. Russia would demand from Germany and Austria a war injdenity of £120,000,000 and several .boundary ratifications." And would Germany risk a war involving so much?" queried the French-

man, "In five years' time you will see she jwill," was the German's reply.