THE GALLANT FRENCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11716, 5 June 1916, Page 7

THE GALLANT FRENCH.

TRIBUTE BY GERMAN WRITER. "One utterance, at least, on the .eve of tho new issue is not calculated to fill people with assurance of the success of German arms (says the special correspondent cf tho London "Daily Telegraph," writing on tho subject of the Verdun offensive on March 4). "This is a very remarkable article by Major Moraht. Having regard to its source, it is on© of tho most significant pieces of writing that have appeared in tho German Press for a very long time. Reviewing the Verdun operations, Major Moraht, instead of, as has hitherto been his invariable custom, confining himself purely to military comments,, indulges in a pathetic wail about the tragedy of a generation of warriors of France and Germany sinking into its grave before the fortress. This article has produced a deep impression in Bsrlin. It shatters the carefully nourished illusiou that the German losses were slight, and even suggests that Major Moraht regards tho whole struggle as & hopeless business, producing only mutual annihilation.

"The following are quotations:— _"' If the _ whole of Germany looks with prido in its battle-tired warriors, their powers of holding out, and their courage, and will never forget its living or dead heroes, at the .same time wo must recognise fully the bravery of tho enemy. In numerous counter-attacks they struggled to free themselves from our iron grip. They stood up against leaden destruction from our terrible batteries. A generation of wju-riors sinks into its grave before Verdun, or drags its way home in a mutilated condition. " ' That is what makes one shiver in watching this shedding of .blood'by two nations who, hand in hand, could dominate the world, and could raise its culture to unknown heights. Instead, they are tearing themselves, to pieces, and whilst they do so wo remember that in neither country were there compelling motives to fall upon each other. As in Germany wo do-not allow ourselves to be accused, as people of judgment, of having brought en this war. so in honour wo must not blatno the people of Franco of having had such an intention. ,% A few thousands wero tho origiuatorsHif it. I have often hoard from tho mouths of our young soldiers taking part, in this bloody struggle with the Fronch how they wish nothing more intensely than that the bad words "hereditary enemy'' should disappear in the coming peace.' '■ To-day an attempt is made to removo the" painful impression made by these remarks, coming from a writer whom the German public recognises as tho best-ir.formcd critic, and who has never before hinted that Germany and Franco might be hand in hand, except in tho sense that the former/* hand! should be the mailed fist, with that of France in its crushing grip. Tho Government's inferential antidote to the article is n semi-official message declaring that the German losses aro slight"'under the circumstances.'"