The Washington times., 1916-10-31
THE TRUTH ABOUT FRANCE

Field Marshal Won Hindenburg, in
an interview with a Vienna news
paper, once more predicts the COL
lapse of France. In the face of re-
cent facts around Verdun, admitted
tardily by Berlin itself, a German
commanders warning that France is
on the point of expiration from the
process of bleeding to death, is bit
like an American diplomatic COM
munication: not to be taken too
seriously. Hindenburg phrases his
statement in fashion calculated to
intimate that the French are making
their recent gains at frightful cost.
He says that "they are exterminat-
ing lives by their method Of fight
ing" and that "if the British ask
next spring for one more offensive
campaign" they will rob France of
the remainder Of her army and of
her national strength.
Always the same effort, so
pathetically futile, to make the
French believe that Britain is their
real betrayer! Britain, which en-
tered the war very much to the dis
comfiture of Germany; Britain,
which has millions of her soldiers on
French soil, pouring out their blood
in the effort to reconquer the prov
inces seized by Germany in the first
weeks Of the war; Britain, whose
navy has been the real backbone of
the allies cause, and whose financial
strength has been summoned to sup
port weaker allies in all quarters
Britain is not going to be misunder-
stood, now, by France.
France bleeding to death, spending
her energies so fast that it is going
to be impossible for her to wage
another campaign; the France of
Hindenburg's picture drawn to be
admired by Austrians and Germans
between the scanty meals that re-
mind them of their own danger
all this presents a curious contrast
to the France that Henry P. Davi-
son describes on his return from
that country. He saw everything
that could be seen, from the fac
tories to the trenches; informed him
self in the utmost detail concerning
Frances financial and economic pos
ture. AS result his firm is putting
out another great loan for the allies
issued, it is true, in the name of
the British government-and Mr..
Dawson says:
1t is futile to attempt To describe
the Impressions gained from such an
! experience. No one can have the slight
est conception OF the magnitude of the
organization and undertaking without
personally being on the ground, and
one cannot but be profoundly impressed
with the personnel OF both armies, and
therefore better understand and appre-
ciate the'reasons for the marked change
seen and felt throughout both England
and France. When visited these
countries about a year ago there was
no question In the minds OF the people
! as 10 their ultimate success; now their
attitude Is not alone one of Confidence
but also one of deep satisfaction in hav.
ing at last found themselves as to
munitions, organization. and men ali
showing the finest spirit Imaginable
throughout the entire line The best
proofs OF this are their achievements
since the first OF July.
When In France | also availed. nyself
or the opportunity afforded to acouaint
| myself with the financial and Industrial
situation and visit some of the munition
plants, the development of which In 40
brief period seems little short OF mar
Vicious. While ! have for many years
| appreciated the financial strength of
France, perhaps nothing in my trip i'm
| pressed me more than the evidences.
I under these circumstances, OF that
country's great capacity and wealth,
Even considering her army. the Won
derful adaptability of her people, and
her national spirit, one must marvel at
what she has accomplished since
August, 1914. and bow to her almost in
reverence.
The truth about France doubtless
lies somewhere between the linden
burg story and the optimistic story
told by Mr.. Dawson. But it is alto
gether probable that the description
which Field Marshal Hindenburg
gives as a picture Of France comes
nearer applying to Germany than it
does 10 the confident, trained, and
r~'s-I T"nr"" ~ f"d"-.