The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-03-14
GERMAN OFFENSIVE
WILL BE FAILURE
And 1t Will Be the Beginning of the End
for Germany, in the Opinion Of the
Belgian Minister of War.

On the Belgian front, Marcn Ia tlor'
respondence of the Associated Press).--
General A. de Ceuninck, the distinguished
soldier and minister of war for Belgium
to day expressed to the correspondent OF
the Associated Press the firm conviction
that great offensive by the Germans
on the western front would be the be-
ginning of the end for the Prussian mill
tary machine. This is true, said the gen
eral, because even if the enemy should
put his entire strength into an assault il
was doomed to certain failure in view of
allied preparedness. Having defeated the
Germans in their onslaught, the allies
would be in position, through the bal
ance of power which America had
brought them, to counter with irresist.
ible force
The minister had been asked to dis
cuss the military situation as it appeared
in the light of Germany's present posi-
ton, and the Prussian claim that the en-
tente allies would be brought to their
knees. The general received the CORE
spondent in the chateau which is being
used as executive headquarters for the
war department and talked freely for
half an hour or more. General de Ceun
he had brought with him to the ministry
the comprehensive grasp of large prob
lens, the quick decision and the disci-
pline which have made his reputation in
the Belgian army. One reads assurance
and alertness in his every word and
move.
At the outset of the conversation the
general spoke of the close friendship ex-
sting bewteen Belgium and the United
States, and referred in the most grateful
terms to the assistance which America
mas rendered her ally through the Red
ross, the commission for relief in Bel |
,ium, and in other ways.
1.-THE morale of the hard pressed Bel |
yians has been sustained and increased |
,y the knowledge that the citizens of the
United States were standing with them
n the battle for freedom and justice
You have lightened our load and enabled !,
is to continue the struggle" said the
,eneral.
He paused, and then added with great
ceiling:
II assure you that the first thing Bel
rum will do after the conclusion of
,eace will be to erect monument to her
,ood friend"
The general turned to the outlook for
he allied arms on the battlefield.
1--WE do not underrate the strength of
ur opponents, he said. Germany is a
military nation, a powerful nation, and
he is not yet defeated. America, how
yer. has brought into the conflict the
dditional resources necessary to tip the
alance in our favor, and an allied vic
DRY is assured. The outcome of the war
ow hinges on the question of numbers,
nd the superiority rests with us.
Germany will fail in any offensive
rhich she may be preparing for on the
-estern front. The allies are ready for
bic line If the enemy is going to stake
7erything on big attack and is calling
ut every resource he can command, he
i'll have reached the beginning of the
I'd when he fails to break through, for
lie counter strokes of the allies can re-
lit in only one thing-defeat for Ger
any. II may take some time to put
he finishing touches on the victory but
lis will be accomplished.
so far as'thc Belgian army is con- !
rned it is prepared for eventualities.
he morale of the troops and of the civ q
ian population never has been higher
ian it is to-day. Our soldiers are eager Q
fight. AT times we have had difficulty l
restraining them until the proper mo- Il
ent for action, for they chafe under :
lie restraint. But they must be content
await developments. They are only
le wheel of the great allied machine
I'd every part of that machine must
ork in cooperation to make it run
1oothly Whenever the call comes we
all be waiting to respond with every
ON of strength which we have.
The entrance of America into the
ar has done much to cheer our troops
le fact that the United States is with
s, both as a friend and as fighting ~
", means to the man in the trenches
at he is not making a vain sacrifice.
, is. sure of victory and is more eager
an ever to carry the battle to the en-
" camp. Our confidence in the out
me of the war has been strengthened
rally by the businesslike way in which
E United States government has I'M OF
rtsken its task. | recently saw some ~
iachments OF American soldiers who oil
We come To fight with US They were "
G.. clean-ctt men-athletic, intelligent IT
i intensely energetic. II was an in II
ration to see them. There is more
"a fighting in sight, but we shall win" tll