VIEWS OF GERMAN PRISONERS

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXX, Issue 146016, 20 July 1916, Page 6

VIEWS OF GERMAN PRISONERS

(Australian aud N.Z. Cable Association)

LONDON, Wednesday,

Mr Philip Gibbs writes as follows: — After questioning prisoners to ascertain the German viewpoints of our attack and Germany's prospects, it is difficult to obtain a real indication of the spirit, of the German people. Many prisoners arc still dazed, and some- are proud and sullen. Others are ready to talk, but are ignorant of anything outside the dug-outs. All have a great craving for peace in order to see their wives aud children.

Tho prevailing thought that reveals itself frequently is that, they light in obedience to a higher power, and cannot help themselves. A doctor said: ' 'You are strong and we are strong, and neither can crush the other. If the war continues it will bo Europe 's suicide.''

Many said that they hud been promised that the war would end in August or .September.

The soldiers believed they were winning, and were confident in the strength of the lines on the West front. They did not- believe that defences like Frieourt aud Montauban could ever be. broken. They always speak of our artillery with terror. .Our new power has amazed them. The officers especially admit that they never imagined amateur gutiners, as they call the British, could achieve such results. They always speak with groat respect of our infantry's courage, but count the strength of the armies by the strength of their guns. Thoy knew until recent days that they possessed greater power, and the possibility of defeat was not mentioned. All are .still convinced that the army will never be beaten to the point of surrender. Thoy now know that tho English are stronger than they .anticipated. They talk of another inevitable Auglo-Gennan war in the ye-ars hence. They had been, taught that the British throughout were the aggressors and that Germany will seek for revenge. Many frnukly express hatred of the war as being the cause of horrors aud suffering beyond man's strength to bear. They talk like men under an evil spell placed on them by unknown and uncontrollable powers. The ignorance of most of the prisoners is remarkable, yet they mostly conceal tho fact that they have been kept unaware of the series of defeats and stoutly deny suffering aioi hunger in German v.