Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1914-12-31

last?" The returning traveller from
Europe has this question thrown at
him before he gets Off the ship. The
reporters coming out on the doctors
boat want TO know. On the dock the
customs inspector forgets to dump
your other clean collar out on the
floor and asks: How long?' Your
friends. having commented unkindly
on your increased girth and weight,
demand TO know when it will all
end.
Nobody asks which side will win.
That has apparently been decided
long ago by the American news
papers, drawing their information as
they do chiefly from English and
French sources and basing their
opinions upon an inexplicable desire
for the success OF the Allies. Oh, the
Allies will win. That's all been
settled long ago, hasn't it? Well, If
you ask me, it hasn't been settled at
all. And, again, it is my opinion that
the vital issue is not how long the
war viii last but who viii win out.
When at the beginning OF the
trouble ] went across to France.
/, like everybody else, had it all
doped out to my own satisfaction
that there could be but one outcome.
The Allies must win sooner or later
BY sheer force of numbers Having
seen the French army at various
bases ia northern France, and having
watched the retreat on Paris, ! had
doubts But. even so, my faith IN
the ultimate success of the Allies was
not shaken and crossed over TO
Germany ten weeks ago prepared TO
a. ]. ~
sympathy Germany doesn't need it.
AT the risk OF losing what little
honor / may have in mine own
with the role Of prophet and say
something about the probable dur
alton and results of the war. What
follows here Is the opinion Of one
man. Nobody has to agree with it
or indorse il if he doesn't care TO.
/ will say. however, that my opinins
are based on observation Of condi-
tions in France, England, Belgium
and Germany
! am not q military expert, but 7
have talked for many hours with
many mon who are, and have gath
cred consensus of opinion from the
active fighting men OF four great na-
tions Az different times In the past
four months I have met at different
points in Europe some six on eight
recognized military experts, theorists
and students Of years standing, al
OF them writing for English or
American publications.
Lct me pass the buck and put the
estimate OF the duration OF the war
UP to those theoretical experts I
wish ] could give their names, but
they are getting paid some thousands
O month for thoir opinions and far be
it from me to steal anybody'a stuff
Thoy-and they agree pretty closely
with the fighting men from the front
they say that hostilities win last
for from two TO five years longer.
Worry we'll Now as to who viii win.
on this ( don't pass The buck to any
body Either Germany win win or
tho greatest war IN the worlds
history VIII be draw.
II tho war goes along for six
months more without German suc-
ccsscs, and an opportunity is given
for heavy rc-cnforcements Of the
Allies with Kitchener's new army,
colonials and the slow reserves Of the
Ruasians,a a preponderanco Of strength
may be brought against Germany
that will force her back into hor own
territory This VIII mean from three
to five years Of war II might We'll
take from eighteen mOnts to two
years to force Germany out OF Bel
GUM, so completely has the country
been prepared for a fighting retreat.
II such conditions arise England
viii very likely violate the neutrality
of Holland just as Germany did that
OF Belgium. but with less excuse,
England today has scores or her spies
in Holland looking out the land along
tho frontier and getting ready for the
emergency of invasion Invaded.
Holland Will throw in with Germany.
Her army is sympathetic already
owing to tho efforts Of the prince
consort
" tho worse came TO the worst and
Germany was forced back to her own
boundaries that would be as far as
tho allied armies could 60 be-
licve IL would be impossible for an
invading army 10 croes the Rhine.
do not believe that Russia can make
an effective entry from the east
Given the situation Of Germany
forced behind her own frontiers ana
the problem comes down to starving
ANA fOAtt A. Nfi. 4 DN .A1lAAf A'At tNHNJ
can and win live on her own products
indefinitely The military authori-
ties talked very freely to me regard
ing those problems OF maintenance.
They claim to have a supply OF rye
on hand now that viii keep tho
nation for two years. II not q kernal
Of wheat is raised in the empire the
people viii cat wheat bread for nine
months longer.
lust one item Of supply worries
the German officials And they arc
DELIGHTFULLY."- frank Ia discussing this
shortage IL cOnvinces you that they
are sincere in their estimates OF their
food reserves. The possible shortage
is on copper It hasn't become
problem yet. but it may within the
next eighteen months
As to men. / have told ip pre-
yious articles OF the large number OF
young men still left in Germany The
reserves are incredibly strong, Be
60.