GERMANS HOPEFUL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 944, 19 February 1917, Page 7

GERMANS HOPEFUL.

DESPITE STARVATION. FAITH IN SUBMARINES. Australia* and XZ. Cablt Arrtrlation. LONDON, February 17. The "Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent interviewed members of Mr Gerard's party, who gave the following collective opinion regarding the internal state of Germany: —

"Our first surprise on reaching Paris,'' they slate, "was to see taxicabs. We saw more motors in an hour in Paris than in months in Berlin, where they run on iron tyres. "Our second surprise was the wellfed horses. Berlin horses are all emaciated, and six m>K draw a load which two would draw normally. The abundance and variety of food in Paris is astounding. There is no comparison with Berlin, where only the rich can eat their lilt at enormous prices. Milk is terribly scarce, and the death-rate amongst children has risen to an extraordinary degree. The German people are not merely on short commons, but arc literally Suffering from hunger. Nevertheless, the moral of the population keeps u(). It is fact, though it amazes us now that we have seen Paris, that the Germans arc absolutely convinced tb-*t the people of France and England are suffering from the same or worse food shortage. Now that we are in Paris wc see the amazing difference between the German conditions and those of France."'

Regarding the military position, the Americans state: "Probably the military chiefs know that Germany is irevocably beaten. An old German ollicer told us that if the Ailies pierce the German front a complete retreat is probably inevitable, and it might become a rout. But the people have no idea of such a possibility, and believe implicitly in the army. Thc\ know that the Germans have lost 1,5(10.000 killed

"The people are convinced that , submarines, within six weeks, will forte England to sue fur peace. What will happen when these beliefs are exploded no one knows."'