El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-01-20
V0N FALKENHAYN EXPECTS To WIN

the allied armies. On the contrary
/ that phase of the campaign is the e.
suit Of an attempt on the part Of the
north to separate US from the sea and
enVelope our right flank and rear, re-
lieve Antwerp, and oblige US to retire
from Belgium
"Their plan was q failure, our coun-
ter-strolze a success. They have not
outflanked us and we are still there"
Germans Fully Satisfied.
"What is your view of the general
offensive OF the allies and Kitchener
new arfny?" he was asked.
1.-THE offensive" replied the German
chief of staff, was to begin, according
to Joffre's order. on the day Of Dec
IT, So far we have no reason to be
dissatisfied with its results. We not
only have held our lines successfully,
but have even gained ground. More of
such offensive can only be welcome TO
US
As to Kitchener's army, the British
are good fighters and I have all re-
spect for them. but an army without
necessary officers and non-cOmmis-
stoned officers is scarcely an army,
according to present day standards.
They may send them over TO attack US,
but I think we are strong enough TO
beat them and drive them back with
SGs to the proposed Iknding in Bel
gium. We are fully prepared for any
attempt in this direction. The sooner
il comes the better"
There was nothing bOastful in Gen.
Won FalI1enhayn's manner. These state
ments were made, instead, in q quiet
tone, and on the confidence of the
preparedness OF the German army and
its ability to meet the situation
"H8ve Plenty of Food"
what effect on the German con-
duct of the war" Gen. Won Falken-
hayn was asked, has the British
blockade and contraband policy exer-
cised?"
Practically none at all" he replied.
"Of food we have enough. Have you
observed any scarcity in Germany?
We may have to husband certain things
and be sparing with our wheat con-
sumption. but our war bread reIer-
ring to the bread made from the pre-
scribed admixture Of rye and potato
meal to wheat four. is quite as tasty
and nutritious as the regular wheat
bread.
incubation of Belgium. Poland and the
occupied parts of France, particularly
such cities as Lille or LODI, presents
some difficulties but for ourselves we
have enough.
"As for the embargo on copper" Gen.
Won Falzenhayn laughed-'we nave no
copper underground, it is true, but
above> ground we have more than
enough for all military needs. If our
regular supplies become exhausted We
need only draw on the enormous guam
titles of manufactured copper already
in Germany in our cables fer trans
hitting electricity, for instance, we
have a couple Of years supply.
Concerning Copper.
British interference with copper
shipments, it seems to me, is a heavy
blow for America, but for US it is
nothing. Gen. Won Fal6enhayn used
the vigorous south German expression
for utter indinerence")
How long does your excellency
think the war can last-lord hitch-
ener's three years?
TT can last" said the German chief
Of staff, picking out that part of the
question, Indefinitely for us; 1 can see
nothing that can force us to stop
Plenty of Troops.
"F'ooa and materials? We are amply
supplied. Human material? DO you
know that the recruits Of the 1915 class
are to be called to the colors? Oct 10,
1915. is the normal date. 1 was Occu-.
pying myself with this question yes
teFday. Does that look a. If there is
any lack OF soldiers2 We have ~oore
troops in Berlin today than in peace
ever No men are sent TO the front
without adequate preparation.
Enthusiasm? You have been at the
front and know that there is no slack
eninE in the zeal OF the men for their
task. No. We can go on indefinitely.
And if in this war, in which Kali
mucks. Kamchatkans, Turcomans,
Senegal negroes, Indians and what not
have been brought in to maintain in
the white mans Europe the sO-cahed
balance of power; if in this war to
crush a nation whose offence is that
through industry and hard work it has
prospered and is prosperous, we should
go down, we shall go down with honor,
lighting to the last ditch and the last
man"