Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-08-29

| the prewar German border, props up
the home front.
| But once American, British and Allied
armies establish a front on the mainland
| of Western Europe and it is seen that
| the army is being driven back In spite
| of everything, German faith may reach
the point where it will crack
| There are several striking parallels be-
tween the situation and that of July "a,
1918, the beginning of the fifth year o.
World War l.
On August 8. 1918, just after the Begin
ming of the fifth year of that war the
Kaisers armies had their BLACK day"
That was when Marshal Foch began the
great Allied offensive in Piccardy and
piled offensive on offensive until he broke
the German back.
August BLACK Day.
August 4, 1o43, when the Russians took
Orel end prepared the way for the re-
capture of Kharsov on August % already
has been compared to August g, 1918, but
the really BLACK day" for the Nazis may
come when British, American and Allied
troops invade Europe from the sea.
On September 30, 1918. two months
after the beginning of the fifth year, the
Kaiser's Balkan front began to disinte-
crate. Bulgaria signed an armistice on
that day.
Austria Hungary followed suit month
later, asking for peace on October 80, and
Turkey did likewise on October 81, and
II days later Germany herself gave up.
The collapse of Mussolinis rule makes
it clear that Italy, Germany's chief ally
in Europe, already is on the ropes ready
for the knockout.
Now, as in 1918, Germany's other allies
are wavering. Bulgaria, Rumania, Hun
gary and Finland all are reported war
weary, anxious to switch from the Axis
horse at the first opportunity All have,
significantly, felt strong enough to with
stand German demands for more help.
August 8, 1918, caused Ludendorff, Ger
man chief of staff, to declare "the war
must be ended" and the collapse of Bull
garia caused an appeal for an armistice
to be sent to President Woodrow Wilson
on October 3.
Strange Sounds From Berlin.
The resignation of Mussolini has been
followed by strange sounds from Berlin.
On August Is the Berlin correspondent
OF the Stockholm Tidningen cabled his
paper that when the day of defeat draws
near Germany will have to choose be-
tween peace as an equal partner of the
Soviet Union or get dictated peace terms
from the Western powers which will be
worse than in 1918. What do you think
the Germans will choose? You can be
sure the people will decide on peace
with the Soviet Union"
Permission for such dispatch to come
out OF Germany suggests that Germany
.sisa mining fl1bngti not very Hopefully,
that she would BIZ glad to make terms
on her eastern border. Her propa-
gandists also hope, no doubt, that the
hint will help beat down British and
American determination to drive her into
unconditional surrender and perhaps in
sert wedge of suspicion between Russia
and her Allies.
A year ago the Germans had much less
need for such stratagems. They were
deep in Russia, approaching the passes
through the Caucasus, and were just be-
ginning their terrific hammering of
Stalingrad. Their chances of winning
both Oil and control of the Volga seemed
good. But on November 49, at Stain
grad the Russians began their counter
offensive and from then on the picture
has changed completely.