| lets face it, its a lot easier to be upbeat about things and frankly, people dont like hearing bad news. the military aren't going to release statements that they expect a long hard war, with lots of casualties, the public morale would fall through the floor.
yes, apparently they didn't plan enough, but i think it is more common for countries to overestimate than underestimate themselves.
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If I am asked what we are fighting for, I can reply in two sentences. In the first place, to fulfil a solemn international obligation . . . an obligation of honor which no self-respecting man could possibly have repudiated. I say, secondly, we are fighting to vindicate the principle that small nationalities are not to be crushed in defiance of international good faith at the arbitrary will of a strong and overmastering Power.
Author: Rt. Hon. Herbert Henry Asquith
Source: Statement, to House of Commons, Declaration of War with Germany, Aug. 4, 1914
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