The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-31
vON H|NDENBURC WON'T
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every civilian must collaborate in this
effort In the full consciousness that
no path but war leads to peace. Mu-
nitions are not everything, 1t Is not
grenades but the morale OF the troops
that will bring the Anal decision and
the morale of the German and Aus
tro- Hungarian troops Is superior to
that of all their adversaries Never
thelesA munitions mean very much
in this war. On the occasion of
previous visit. you will remember. the
field marshal told you that the main
thing Ia discipline That Is true, but
discipline Is based on tho complete
education of every Individual"
Makes No Prophecy.
Asked whether there was any
chance that the war would be termin-
ated by decisive blow Field Marshal
Won Hindenburg said:
Perhaps. The trend of events must
show. I prefer to make no prophecy"
To question as to whether, IN his
opinion, tho Russian masses would be
exhausted, thu Field Marshal re-
pliedi
They are already becoming ex-
hausted and the Russian army COM
IflailucIS may plaItB themselves IOT II.
There Is no doubt, however, that in
Russia new masses will spring up. But
that will make no difference We,
too, have plenty OF men. Germany
has a profusion of reserves. and in
Austria-Hungary the reserves are by
no means exhausted. We never were
afraid OF the Russian numerical
strength we know no numerical SUI
periority"
General Indendorfr again inter-
posed:
Numerical superiority and danger
only exists for tho weak. He who
rails at fate might better look TO him
self It is firm viii that controls fate;
there is no such thing as blind fate"
Again taking up the thread OF the
conversation. the Field Marshal said:
Biindly Ohcdient.
THE new Russian armies are as
good-and "a bad--as their pre-
decessors. The primary qualification
Of the Russian soldier is blind obedi-
ence. He makes no progress In
military way. The Russian artillery
has become more efficient only
through instruction by French and
Japanese officers. who command them
in part.
'Rett here again our artillery main
tains it's supremacy. For a certain
period the Russians had more NUM-
tons than formerly. but their mu-
milton stores have now become de-
pleted and their importation by way
of Archangei will be interrupted by
the Ice"
The Field Marshal was then asked
IT, In his opinion. decision in the
war was only possible In the east. He
declared:
People DO not know what nom
sense they talk. One does a great in
justice to an army commander by at
tributinR to him a set program. Ger
tainly the commander has in his head
Il plan of tho war, a general view OF
the war. but there is no set program
except one--to gain victory. Where
and how this shall be done can only
be decided at the moment and on the
ever changing basis OF events There
fore. a decision can be looked for as
we'll In the west as in the east
Never Thought of Shortening Front.
1T they tell you that / intend to
shorten our front in the west you may
set IL down as nonsense. ! have never
thought of It. Why should ! do it?
| Our front in tho west stands as firm
as a rock and II our enemies by ex-
travagant use of artillery ammunition
here and there do gain a little terrain
they never will break through To
| do this they would have 10 attack for
thirty years more-provided they have
enough men"
| Regarding the French. the field
marshal said:
DISCRIMINATING Themselves.
The French have shown great
tenacity, but they are discriminating
themselves by this method OF fighting.
Al their tsnacity will have been in