The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-11-10
NO SIGNS OF
EARLY PEACE
FOUR OR FIVE YEARS MORE OF
EUROPEAN WAR NOW DE-
CLARED INEVITABLE.
Germans Admittedly Are Anxious for
the End But Are Demanding
Creditable Terms.

Creditable Terms.
New York, Nov. 6.-Nowhere in
England, France or Germany is there
the slightest evidence yet of an ap-
preaching end of the war. In no coun-
try is there any indication that the
struggle chn be terminated within
the next two years. There are in
Vulnerable indications that the end is
much further off. Lord Northcliffe,
who more often probably than any
other man has correctly forecasted
the wars development, is now urging
the British to make no calculations
based upon peace within five years.
Although pushing their offensive on
the Somme with great vigor the Brit
lsh land forces will not have attained
full lighting strength before next sum-
mer. The idea current in Germany
that France is too nearly exhausted
for further dangerous offensive is un-
warranted optimism. The actual fig
ures of the Somme drive where the
French Though only called on to pro-
tect the right wing of the British of
fensive force) have actually taken
more ground and more prisoners
than the British, is indicative of
what the French have in reserve. So
also the new thrust at Verdun.
On the other hand. the idea current
in the allied countries the Germany
sees either defeat or exhaustion as a
near menace is quite without justifica-
ton. Germany wants peace-admit-
tedly wants it badly. The French and
British public has misunderstood and
misconstrued this. The fact is that
Germany wants peace now, not be-
cause she believes herself defeated,
but because she thinks she is nearer a
military victory than she or any of
the belligerents will again come. Ger
mans admits that they are surfeited
with war; but insist that France and
Russia are equally so. They say that
at the present rate on the Somme ad-
vance, in time and casualties, Eng
lands allies will be bankrupt before
'the great push" can reach the
Kline. Germans ridicule the idea that
any offensive can penetrate the Rhine
defenses.
Changes in Capitals.
Eighteen months have worked great
changes in the belligerent capitals.
Paris changed least during the inter-
val-is brighter, gayer and a shade
nearer her normal. even though the
war is still the all-engrossing idea.
Berlin has become almost somber. A
rather noisy and exaggerated conf
dence has given place to a determina-
ton truly grim. The food situation,
If not working the havoc with stom
achs that the allies would like to be-
lieve, is having it's effect on nerves.
The difficulty is not so much scarcity
of food as soaring of prices and mo-
notony of diet. Everywhere the ques-
ton is asked, "When is peace COM
?"-but nowhere is there evidence
of fear or voiced dissatisfaction with
government or army
When peace is talked of by the av-
erage German it is peace with full
honor to Germany. It is peace cred.
liable to the Germany that has con-
quered Belgium, Poland, Serbia and
the richest districts of northern
France; the Germany which is over
running Rumania and which even in
war of attrition is still adding to
Its captured territory. The peace op-
enly striven for by Germany is far
different thing Involving as it does a
restoration of the status quo ante as
the limit of confessional from the only
peace ever mentioned in Paris or Lon
don-a peace to be dictated to Ger
many
But it is London that has under
gone the greatest transformation. In
the fall of 1914 the Englishman was
talking glibily of business as usual"
last spring he was rather bored be-
cause the war would probably drag
over into 1916, and was chafing under
the upset of business routine. To-
day there is no business and no rou-
tine in England except the business
and routine of making war. Peace
rs topic of conversation is almost
taboo. More men, more munitions.
more money. Release the eligibles
for military service; perfect the or
ganization behind the battle line and
keep the hands of the politicians off