Widnes Examiner. — 1914-10-03 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

BRITISH  A CHANGE OF TUNE.  Truth, like constantly dropping I water, will work its way through. It will even reach the intelligence of the German people, and, maybe, that of the KAISER himself. It was Understood in Germany that her great machine devised for massacring nationalities would roll its way to Paris, then return and crush the Russians, a final roll being reserved for Great Britain. The machine progressed amazingly and Berlin rejoiced exceedingly.- But the tide turned and the Germans have been on the defensive for three weeks, with Paris a far-off dream and the near return to the threatened Fatherland an ever-present and all-depressing nightmare. As we say, the truth is even being recognised at home, and we have the great German paper, ".Berliner Tageblatt," preparing the public for bad news. "The German people," we are told, "await anxiously and with confidence further news from the French war theatre." `! Anxious Confidence " is good, but it is satisfactory to learn that news of a great French advance against the German flank would. "not unbalance us." Surely this is preparing for a fall?  We know our front line is protected by broad "echelons" which are ready to oppose such an enterprise. Even if fresh French or English forces advance still further in the north-western direction, they will  , . always encounter "echelons" which our commanders have kept back in expectation of such advances.  Excuses like this are the merest nonsense. There is a vast difference between taking Paris in a rush and being dependent upon broad echelons in the rear to save a beaten army from destruction.  As there is a change of attitude towards the general prospects of the war, so there is a new attitude respecting the part England is playing in this awful drama. The GERMAN EMPEROR, when he sent forth his murdering, ravaging legions, signed an Order to his officers which said that it was his "Royal and Imperial command" that you concentrate your energies, for the immediate present, upon one single purpose, and that is that you address all your skill and all the valour df my soldiers to exterminate first the treacherous English and walk over General French's contemptible little Army. Well, this contemptible little army stood up to five times its numbers at Mons, and, as became a lightweight in face of a heavyweight, backed discreetly and delivered a blow as opportunity occurred. The result was that the big bully was so exhausted when Paris had been almost reached that he had to turn homeward for repairs. As we have seen, the foe, after two months' hammering, has to be happy in the knowledge that he can find succour to the rear! And what has the "Berliner Tageblatt " to say on the point? This: The influence of the British reinforcements makes itself more and more known. They are efleFtive to impede us, though the reeults Will not be lasting. W h y should we not admit this 'An old military proverb saYs, Many enemies, much honour." Victory must be ours all the same. If it is gained after difficulties, it is all the more valuable. What, we wonder, will the KAISER say about this paper's audacity? Why not  admit that England can do something when the KAISER has said it is contemptible and must be walked over and exterminated. It is rank heresy. We suggest that the editor should be•placed in Louvain when the next German bombardment of that dead city takes place. Our German contemporary hopes for the best and foretells success, but for the present admits that the "obstinacy of the French attack, which always returns and advances against us, deserves just appreciation and will have taught a lesson to all who expected an easy time."  We must not deny even our enemies the consolation of hope, however. illfounded ; but they can scarcely believe in these hopes, seeing that the process of attrition unonwhtch LORD KITCHENER counted has seriously begun. The KAISER'S Army set about to carry out his order. They came against our men in formations more dense than the formations of a century ago, and these, the picked young men for the invasion, who were to clear the way for the army of occupation, were shot down like rabbits and were themselyes "exterminated." Meanwhile our reinforcements are making their " influence" increasingly felt. India and the Colanies are sending us some of the finest fighting material the world can produce. Russia has brushed aside Austria; and Germany stands in imminent danger without a friend— save the lovable Turk—abhorred by mankind and damned before Heaven as the author of crimes that will stand as the blackest in recorded history.