Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-07-26
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to dispatches from Berlin. The ut
terances of the socialistic press of the
German capital are occasioning Off
cialdom no little annoyance, and the
suppression of certain journals which
are opposing the war and annexation
of territory of other countries is
rather adding fuel to the fire.
The Frankfurter Zeitung finds it
necessary to do something to allay the
criticism of Germans who are find
ing fault with the general staff be-
cause of the long stagnation of the
western front.
"Clausewitz, the old Prussian mas.
ter of strategics," the paper writes,
,Gails defense the most powerful form
oi warfare, as it consists in holding
w;1a6 you have and gives to the de-
iailsive many strategic and tactical
advantages which the attacking party
does not possess. 1t is we'll known
what caused our commanders in the
west to dig themselves in and car
~ on trench war. 1t was certainly
not weakness, and each day that pas
ses without any gain to our ADVERSE
ries, each man that they lose in the
attack, represents gain to us. Our
own losses are not vain as long as
our lines hold, for our only aim is TO
hold them"
The article has been sharply cri-
ticised because it appears to indicate
that Germany has given up every
hope of new offensive in the west.
Macmillan Harden has once more
spoken with his usual frankness.
ZIP the west" he says, neither
side is advancing because an attempt
to do so would mean the, perhaps use
less, sacrifice of at least 100000 lives.
In the east the Russians with their
enormous reserves will be more than
able to take the offensive again this
fall"
Dispatches froms the eastern war
zone show that the Russians are put
ting up stubborn defense. In fact
they have halted the German drive.
The Muscovites assert that the in
vadI.s are now attasking unimportant
points in order to make a showing,
while they are holding off at places
where they realize the greatest dam
-ger.
The Kaiser said recently that the
war would end in October. He has
now prolonged the conflict, and alys
it will end by Christmas. These ~
terances may be intended to allay dis
satisfaction in Germany and Temporal
rily silence his critics. He must know
that there is nothing at present 10
indicate the close of hostilities this
year.
The icy relations between Germany
and Austria are significant. A dis
patch from Berlin dated Saturday
says:
Tomorrow Sunday we might c.
lebrate the anniversary of Austria 5
declaration of war against Serbia,
which Germans now quite openly al,
nit was prompted by the German
war party. But nobody in Berlin feels
the least bit inclined to celebrate, and
among high and low the conviction
is gaining ground that it would have
been far better if Germany had per-
mitted Austria to settle her ditteren-
ces with Serbia alone ,as best she
might.
The Austrians are not popular u
Berlin, nor anywhere else IN Ger
many for that matter, since the enor'
nous losses of the German armies n
Galicia became known, and the time
may not be far when we may hear the
slogan Scott Strafe Oesterreich."
The feeling is spreading that hao
Germany not been forced to spene
two months fighting the battles Of
her ally she would probably at this
moment be in possession of Calais AZ
we'll as Warsaw, while as it is she
may soon have to shed more German
blood defending Austria against tn,
Italians.
Everywhere in cafes as well as il
the streets .,onc hears Austria COZ
denied in expressions of the utmos
contempt. and it is no secret that III
= kaiser himself has at various occa
siors: expressed his own opinion will