WHO WON THE WAR?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18450, 28 April 1928, Page 12

WHO WON THE WAR?

To the Editor. Sir, —One would like to know who is responsible for the tone of the cablegrams supplied to our Press. In the matter of the cablegram published today (Thursday), disclosing hoyv America is teaching her children the great part she played in the late war, there is very evident a tone of superior little-mindedness, which seeks favour in belittling the deeds of our great ally. Whatever journals may say, there is no denying the strategical acumen in surprising and giving battle to an enemy packed like sardines on a three to five mile front. For what reason the incredible number of 1,200.000 was massed there, and why Foch did not discover the massing previously, are inquiries which can serve no useful purpose now, but if we have to admit as

evidence of German thoroughness and exactness that precisely 1.200,000 were assembled, and not a man more nor less, then also we have to admit the tactical genius of our ally in meeting the enemy with precisely* half that number, and thus gaining at the very beginning that ascendancy in morale -which means almost everything, even in this age of mechanical frightfulness. It is time, too, that the braggadocio of such nations as England and France, who seek to make a glory of war, should be counteracted. Even they* have to concede that America- gained . her victory with an economy of effort which in man-loss alone did not equal that of the loss of sparsely populated Australia. As they concede, too—with bitterness—that she introduced into modern warfare the startling practice of forcing the victors to provide the spoils! Good luck to America, say' I. A few more wars conducted as she conducted her last campaign, and then, merciful heaven, there would indeed be an end of war. —I am, etc., OLD CONTEMPTIBLE.