The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-09-20
DESPAIR IN GERMANY WILL
SHORTEN THE WAR.

Those who view the situation solely
from military standpoint cannot reason
ably express hope that the war will end
IN less than two years, and only then
after the sacrifice of more than half a
million of the soldiers of the United
States. The German war policy clearly
IS to hold their ground as long as they
can, inflict a defeat if possible and if
forced to make general retreat to fall
back to prepared defenses and rest their
weary divisions, while the Allies eie
spending weeks in advancing and pre-
pairing for another offensive The forces
which will be sent against them will
eventually wear them out, but only after
great efforts and terrible sacrifices. But
The military view leaves out of conSidera-
ton other factors which are now begin
ming to make themselves potently felt in
the conflict, and which will probably do
more than we yet realize, in forcing Ger
many to give up the struggle. These are
the political, economic, financial and
what we will designate as the human
factors Politically, in world sense,
1 Germany is degenerate, artful, cruel,
unscrupulous, lustful for power and hated
even by her own Allies. No nation on
Earth can expect her to abide by her
promises or her solemn treaties. Her
political intrigues in Mexico, Sweden,
Argentina and the United States have
served only to intensity the efforts of the
Allies to conquer her, and so low has she
FALLEN that political intrigue is no longer
possible except where it can be maintain
ed by bribery. The depravity of their
rulers is beginning to have its effect upon
thousands of German people who have
still some honor left. Germany's politi-
cal depravity, of itself alone, is not an
important factor in it's effect on the dura
ton of the war, but coupled with the
economic factor, it is now assuming con-
siderable importance. Three years ago
Germany stood in the front ranks as an
industrial nation. In many lines of manu-
fact ure she was without a peer. A year
and half ago her manufacturers knew,
and today every factory workman knows
that their industries are well nigh ruined
and that the political factor will be bar
TO the resumption of activities and prog
ress after the war is over. Another phase
of the economic factor is the food supply.
tral nations which are neighbors to Ger
many. Late medical journals printed in
Germ any have reached America and it is
noted that food problems occupy more
space than any other medical subject, and
nearly all the food articles are printed to
show how health and strength can be
maintained by a small amount Of food.
Reports from every source agree in say
ing that the upper classes in Germany
are on short rations, and that the poor
are suffering both for food and clothing.
The embargo on food and cotton strikes
hard at Germany and if vigorously main
tanned, will soon make the economic
factor quite as effective as the armies of
the Allies.
The financial factor may be briefly
stated thus: The we'll Informed bankers
Of Germany know sthat without victory
and indemnities the country will be bank
vuut Some of them have already con-
fessed thai defeat is certain and that it is
entirely useless to sacrifice 5000, 600 more
men before asking for peace. Germany
can make no foreignYloans Of any great
,; ei11 For the most part her own
zneopIe have financed the war. When the
bankers say halt, thexKaiserHmust stop
the war The factorr-which we have
mentioned as the human factor is un-
dou btedly producing mores unrest. more more
bitterness and a greaters desire for peace
than is any other There5are few fam
;,;es in Germany which have not furnish
ed erist for the mills OF battle and the de-
vnand for more toll is incessant and lmper-
alive, Among the prisoners recently taken
are many boys from Is toll years old who
ha We been taken from the schools and
sent unhardened and unframed to the
front. To the soldiers in the trenches
these lads carry the story Of distress and
bumper at home. These who are sent
home sick or wounded take back the tale
IF the disEeartening conflicts at Verdun
at Lens and in Flanders. The hopeless
ness of their struggle for the Fatherland
is now known to the people of every CITY,
town and hamlet. Germany is still GRIM
~ holding her battle lines, but Tar away
;beyo nd the roar of her cannon, rises the
wall of a hungry, discouraged and an
sguished people. Some day, God grant Il
may not be far distant, that wall wiz SUI
the lannon's voice, and the cruel haise
will be shorn of his power.
MAINE IS DISSATISFIED.