Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-20
WAR TOLAST YEAR !
YET SAY SOLDIERS
GERMAN PRISONERS AND BRITISH
FIGHTERS SEEM TO HAVE
SAME OPINION.

British Front in France, Oct. 18 (via
London). Oct. 19.-The war will last
another year, according to the consen-
sus OF opinion among the British sol
diers and their leaders. 1t is also the
opinion of the Germans, II the view
of the prisoners count for anything.
Before the grand offensive started a
high authority informed the cores
pondent of the Associated Press that
the German line would not be broken
this summer and that slow operations
wearing down the Germans would be
inaugurated and would probably last
through another summer. With the
approach of winter, conditions may
make military movements difficult
This officer recalled his prediction and
speaking of the situation today he
said:
1--WE know what the German re.
sources were and what ours were and
the time required to force decisive
victory for our arms Is 9 matter OF
calculation
Germans Change Belief.
German prisoners taken during the
summer invariably spoke of peace be-
ing a certainty in the autumn. They
regarded the Somme thrust as a final
effort of the allies or decision and
that after it peace would be made.
Their tone has been entirely different
of late. They recognize that 1t is a
fight to the finish between man power
and resources OF two foes and that
an ultimate decision will come from
the fearful attrition on the western
front which now will know no inter
mission until the end. The Germans
are determined to make every village
on the western front a fortress which
will yield only when reduced to pow
der by shell fire and every gulley and
crater machine gun post to secure
their defensive against critical de-
feat.
At period when the weather is ad-
verse to offensive operations else
where the Germans are apparently
concentrating every possible man and
gun against Rumania. The view OF
the British office is that the Ger.
mans hope to crush Rumania SO that
when they have to face q common al.
lied offensive in the spring they may
not have to defend the immense length
Of the Rumanian frontier In addition
to what they have had to defend this
summer.
Morale 10 Varied.
1t Is a universal remark among the
British that never has the morale OF,
the prisoners varied more than now.
"You will notice that we are always
taking prisoners and that the Ger
mans get very gew Of ours" said stan
oficers Though small parties of our
men are bound to get into hazardous
positions they die rather than yield.
This shows their morale and the tenn.
per Of the situation. Some Germans
have never fought better and some
have never fought SO badly as In the
last few weeks. Today. for example,
twenty Germans practically threw up
their hands and walked into the Brit
fish lines. But there were other Ger
mans who we're ready to fight with
that ferocity which expects no quar-
ter"
However, whether 1t is German
who throws up his hands on the ap-
proach of British charge or the sur.
vivor of score who fought to the
death the opinion as to the duration
Of the struggle remains the same. All
believe that the war has entered a
stage where no compromise Is to be
expected and where victory will go to
the side with the ability to stick the
lonRosf