With Different Ideals
The third year of the war opened with this democratic and Imperialistic contrast even more pronounced in the field of military operations than elsewhere. Against the generals commanding the French, whose whole military education, ideals, and aims had been those of a democracy—was ranged the German armies (commanding in almost every instance by German princes and sovereigns inspired by the highest imperialistic ambition, training, and beliefs). The third year of the war entered with two great battles already in progress—each representing a different form of warfare and a form which the Germans themselves by their superior preparation had been able at will to impose on France. At Verdun it was the war of siege; on the Somme, the war of trenches. 