THE GERMAN VIEW.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 762, 20 July 1916, Page 8

THE GERMAN VIEW.

RESPECT FOR BRITISH ARTILLERY. SUMMARY OP PRISONERS' OPINIONS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, July 18. Mr Philip Gibbs, special correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle," says:— In questioning prisoners to asccr- ; tain the German point of view regarding our attack and Germany's prospects, it is difficult to obtain a rtfal indication of the spirit of the German people. Many of the prisoners are still dazed. Some arc proud and sullen. Others are ready to talk, but arc ignorant of anything outside their dugouts. All have a great craving for peace, and to see their wives and children. The prevailing thought that reveals itself frequently is that they fight in obedience to higher powers, and cannot help themselves. A doctor said: "You arc strong and wc arc strong. Neither can crush the other. If the war continues, it will be Europe's suicide." /Many prisoners said they had been promised that the war would end in August or September. The soldiers believed that they were winning. Confident in the strength of their linos on the Western front, they did not believe that defences like that of Fricourl and- Montauhan could ever be broken. They always speak of our artillery with terror. Our new power has amazed them. The olHcers, especially, admit that they did not imagine that "amateur gunners," as they call the British, could achieve such results. They always speak with great respect of the courage of our infantry, but they count the strength of armies by the strength of their guns. They know that until recent days they possessed the greater power in artillery. "The possibility of defeat is not mentioned at all. They are still convinced that the German Army will never be beaten to the point of surrender. I They now know that the English arc stronger than they anticipated. They talk of another inevitable Anglo-German war 10 years hence. They have been taught that the British throughout have been the aggressors, and that Germany will seek her revenge. "Many frankly express their haired for the war as being the cause of horrors and suffering beyond men's strength to bear. They talk like men under an evil spell placed on them by unknown and uncontrollable powers. The ignorance of most of the prisoners is remarkable; yet they mostly conceal the fact that they have been kept unaware of the series of German defeats, and stoutly deny that there is suffering or hunger in Germany.

TRONES WOOD A GERMAN GRAVEYARD. AMSTERDAM, July 18. Tin: Cologne correspondent of "De Tijd" says that on all sides il is becoming apparent that not a single German aim will be achieved. The military operations on the western front are being severely criticised, particularly the "death march" towards Ycrdun. The Crown Prince is being openly accused of uselessly accumulating troops and impeding a victorious offensive on another front.

Officers captured on the western front admit that the Germans above all fear that the English and French will open offensives at fresh points on the front, which the Germans have insufficient reserves to meet. They say that every man in Kitchener's Armies seems to be a sharpshooter, while their courage is equal to that of the best-trained soldiers. Trones Wood was a vast German graveyard, more men being sacrificed there than at any other point in the retreat. PEACE FEELERS. THE CHANCELLOR'S MOVES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. COPENHAGEN, Jury 19. The "Berliner Lokal Anzeigcr" says that Dr von Belhmann-Hollweg had a long conference on Monday with the parly leaders in the Reichstag. The Chancellor, in his speech, dealt with the military and political situation. Afterwards, there was a lengthy discussion of the question of peace terms. Vnilrd Srrrirr. LONDON, July 19. Germany's troubles are precipitating two political parlies. Dr von ' Bcthmaii-Ilollweg is spreading Ihe idea thai Germany will accept peace without annexation of territory, I whilst the Conservatives, supported by Prince von l3ulow, insist upon "(inn" frontiers, and are bitterly al- : lacking the. Chancellor.

A movement was starlet! to sc- ! cure the Chancellor's resignation, ! bill the Dcutschland episode oceur- ' red while the movement was at ils height, and considerably restored the Chancellor's popularity. II is suggested that the slackening I of Hie submarine and Zeppelin cam- | paigns is partly due to the Chancellor's policy of producing an atmosphere conducive to peace. The president of the German Honourable Peace Comniillee announces the dispatch of 100 lecturers, who will tour Austria, Germany, Turkey, and Bulgaria, advocating peace I without annexation of territory, and claiming the support of Ihe C.han--1 ccllor.

; Count Hevcntlow replies that the pan-German Parly are also sending 100 lecturers on a similar lour. These movements have a certain significance, though there is not the slightest sign of any possibility of peace without complete victory.