THE OUTLOOK.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7914, 4 August 1917, Page 3

THE OUTLOOK.

GENERAL ROBERTSON’S VIEWS. QUALITY WILL WIN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, August 2. In an interview General Sir William Robertson, Chief of the General Staff, was asked to give a frank soldiers’ opinion of the progress of the war. He replied:—lt is a tremendous contest. It is not confined to a struggle between armed millions, but is also a test of racial qualities. Supposing it is impossible to roll' up the enemy’s flanks, you can still break his heart, and destroy his people’s confidence. Remembering Germany’s readiness for this war, and comparing our position in 1914, we now have armies of millions where formerly we had but thousands. CENTRAL POWERS MAY CRACK. We no longer have our backs to the Germans. We are driving them before us, and taking positions they have regarded as a matter of life and death to them. It is too early yet to say that a defensive in modern warfare is impregnable. If the army maintaining the defensive does not crack, the nation behind it may crack. Considering the respective numbers and resources, it is fair to conclude that the Allies, if steadfast and soundhearted, will compel the Central Powers to submit sooner or later. Quality is going to win the war, character being the deciding factor. AMERICA’S ENTRY. The Germans affect to despise America’s intervention, but America’s numbers and resources must play a prodigious and perhaps a decisive part. When a non-militaristic nation of such energy was forced into the struggle for the purpose of ensuring the world’s safety for democracy, it made the end of the war certain. America has begun splendidly. When she strikes her blows will bring despair to the hearts of the War Lords, who are already troubled lest their own people should find them out.