Untitled

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12646, 2 June 1919, Page 4

If the figures contained in the cable message published on Saturday relating to Germany’s casualties are to be relied upon, and there seems to be no doubt that they can, for the nations which were engaged in the war have now nothing to gain by attempting to cover up their'losses in man power, then it becomes amply evident that Germany did not lose owing to internal disturbances or to the elfects of the Allies' blockade—both of which reasons have been advanced more than once by prominent Germans—but simply and solely because of her dwindling man power. The figures referred to place the killed, the missing and the soldiers who still remain prisoners at approximately 3,000,000, and the wounded at approximately 4,500,000. These would consist of the flower of the nation’s manhood. Strong as Germany was in man power the tax upon it, with the enemy increasing in numbers, while her owi forces were being rapidly reduced, was such that she had no option but to throw up the sponge. There is no doubt that she could have maintained the struggle for some time longer, but the military leaders being wise to the inevitable end, and also to the fact that the longer the struggle was prolonged the harsher would be the term? of peace, and the more humiliating the surrender, ordered a cessation of hostilities, bitter to them as such a course must have been. The figures given, of course, do not include the casualties arising out of the revolution. The*© already are fairly numerous, even making allowances for the fact that the revolution lias not been such a bloodv affair as some correspondents hare painted it; but the end is not yet and the list may run into thousands before Germany finally sets her house in orde”.

Tlie idea that the town planning exhibition, which was opened in Wellington in conjunction with the Town Planning Conference, should bo brought to Christchurch was a happy one. If should be seen by as many people as possible, and displayed at as many centres of population as can he arranged- It is one of the hopeful signs of the times that all sections of the community arc interested in the matter of housing, and in the improvement of housing conditions. It is recognise! that a squalid home life induces a squalid outlook, and that much of the industrial unrest is caused by the unhappy conditions under which man; workers and their families exist. There is no reason why a good house should be any dearer than a bad one, or why a settlement should not lie laid out oh scientific lines, with an eye to both sanitation and beauty. Anything that will assist to instruct and help the public to an appreciation of the importance of this subject is welcome, an I we are sure that the exhibition will be visited by thousands of interest?.! people.