The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1918-03-21
French Sheer at
German Predictions

Washington, March 16.-An official
dispatch today from France says:
Before making their last trip to
Berlin, Hindenburg and Ludendorff
made certain statements to the news
paper correspondents attached to
great headquarters.
"This interview probably had dou-
BILE purpose-that Of encouraging pub
lie opinion and Of bringing pressure to
bear upon the adversary by the usual
German bluff. What is outstanding in
the declarations Of the couple Of gen.
erals swollen with pride and childish
vanity, is that the German govern
ment is more than ever before in the
hands of the military caste, brutal,
narrow and insolent.
"Discussing the events in the east,
Hindenburg declared:
"The chain which was to bind us is
from henceforth broken. We can now
employ all our forces in the west. 1t
is absolutely necessary for US to pro-
cure security on our frontiers so that
we shall not see repeated the lament
able events which marked the begin
ming of the autumn Of 1914
ion does not realize the exact extent
of the success obtained in the east be-
cause the people are looking today to
the west. Hindenburg said regarding
this:
Things are always the same, peo-
pie never appreciate at their just
value the results already obtained
"They proceeded to speak of events
that are imminent in the west.
"With the insolence of a German
trooper, the commander of the Ger
man armies, who since the battle Of
the Marine has met with defeat in ev-
cry encounter with the French said:
"'France has dug her own grave.
She is entirely under the rule Of Eng
land. If the French treated less
harshly our poor prisoners, one would
have more pity for the unhappy fate
of their country
"Ludendorff added:
"'We can now pass to- the offensive
in the west. If this offensive is made
it will be very severe. 1t must be
taken into account that the enemy has
at it's disposal strong reserve of
many divisions and that it possesses a
fine network of railways for trans
portating reserves at a point where
they are considered necessary. But
one must overlook the moral factor.
We are full of confidence and we re-
main persuaded that the fight in
which we are to engage will end hap
PLY for u.s.
"Ludendorf added that it was of in
estimable value to Germany to pos
sess such general as Hindenburg.
The marshal interrupted himself and
observed:
"'What is essential is the good
morale of the German soldier. 1t is
to them that we owe our victory. I
am convinced that this morale is found
throughout all Germany.
French See Anxiety
The dispatch concluded with the fol-
lowing French comment:
''Thus do those express themselves
who are at the present moment the
real heads of the German nation. Be-
meath the apparent confidence their
words convey one can detect anxiety.
They know that on the west they will
come up against the victorious will of
the great democracies of the world
more formidably armed and determin-
ed than ever. Hindenburg could never
achieve success except on the eastern
front. He has always had great fear
of the disillusion which the west has
in reserve for him. However, it is pos
sible that the Germans are carefully
concealing their plan in the hope Of
deceiving their adversaries and upset.
ting public opinion, but whatever hap
pens the Allies are prepared and moth
ing can surprise them"