Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-02-04
GERMAN WAR HEAD
SURE OF RESULTS
Won FaIkenhayn Says Sooner
British Try to Drive Teutons
Out of Belgium the Bet
ter, He Says.

The British are good fighters. but an
army without the necessary officers
and commissioned officers Is
scarcely an army.
We are fully prepared for any at
tempt at landing in Belgium; the
sooner it comes the better"
These are some of the phrases sea-
soned with optimism of Lieutenant
General Won Falkenhayn, the German
minister of war and chief of staff OF
the German armies in the field. who to-
day granted the Associated Press the
first interview given any correspondent.
III our first advance against Paris"
said the general in response to a ques-
ton. had succeeded fully and in all
respects it would have been reckoned
most brilliant achievement. As it
stands. an admirable one. But one
caEnot expect to carry on war without
We swung over to the present line OF
action. in which we have been
thoroughly successful
Operations In Flanders.
1T is wrong to interpret the opera
tons in Flanders as an attempt on our
part to reach Calais and outflank tho
allies armies. On the contrary, that
phase of the campaign is the result of
an attempt on the part of the French
TO separate us from the sea and en-
Nelop our right flank and rear, relieve
antwerp and oblige us to retire from
Belgium.
Their plan was a failure, our count
or stroke the success of the operations
IN FLANDERS. They have not outflanked
us and we are still there.
What is your view of the general,
offensive of the allies and Kltchener's
new army" he was asked.
The offensive replied the general,
was to begin. according to General
Joffre's order. on the day of December
~. So far We have no reason to be
dissatisfied with it's results. We not
only held our lines successfully but
nave even gained ground. More of such
offensive can only be welcome to us.
AS to kitchener's army. the British
nre good fighters and have all respect
for them. but an army without neces
sary officers and non commissioned of
licers is scarcely an army, according to
present day standards. They may send
them over to attack US. but l think We
are strong enough to beat them and
drive them back with bloody heads.
Ready For British.
The proposed landing In Belgium:
We are fully prepared for any attemp,
the better"
There was nothing boastful in Cen
sral Won Falkenhayns manner. These
statements We're made, instead, in II
1uiet tone and with confidence in thu
preparedness of the German army and
IN Its ability to meet the situation.
How long. your excellency, do you
think the war may last or can last !!
Lord kitchener's three years."
1T can last. said the German chief
of staff picking out that particular
part of the question indefinitely, |
see nothing that can force us to STOP
fighting.
Food and materials? We are amply
supplied. Our strategic position is good.
Human material? Do you know that
the recruits of the 1915 class are to be
called to the colors? October 1, 1915, is
the normal date, l was occupying my
self with this question yesterday. Does
that look as if there is any lack of SOL
diers?
I'VE have more troops i'm Berlin to-
day than in peace times. They still
need training, however. No men are
sent to the front without adequate
preparation