The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1914-09-05
Supreme Test Approaches

In the early days of the present war, with reports of heroic adj
vances made by the allies and practically no word of German activities,
Americans were led to believe that the Teutons had undertaken an inn
possible task in attempting to force their way across the national Dor
der into France. The strategic plans since carried out by the Germans
involving the blowing OF a way for their army through Belgium, were
altogether unexpected and the success of this movement affords one
of the many surprises with which military history abounds. The Ger
army has long been conceded to be the most formidable fighting
machine in existence, but military experts were generally of the opinion
that, with the country attacked on both frontiers, it would be impossible
to maintain the compact formation which would afford adequate eH1-
cheney for carving on a successful offensive campaign in alien ground.
Among the published statements of men who are acknowledged
authorities upon matters pertaining to modern warfare there has been
a notable absence of predictions as to the period of duration OF the
present war: Mediation on the part of a neutral power is plainly not
to be considered as a possibility. Advantages thus tar gained are not
of sufficient weight to be regarded as decisive and in every instance
have been balanced by reverses elsewhere, SO that neither side is dis
couraoed TO the point of fa1terine. The situation is still further COM
prcated by the large number of nations and the wide diversity of inter
ests involved, rendering the final adjustment a problem that is simply
staggering. Experts have as yet absolutely nothing upon which to base
an opinion as to the outcome or length of the war. History offers ne
aid to the expert or student of warfare, any more than it affords a
parallel to the present titanic struggle, and history is an eptome of a
succession of apparently impossible happenings.
To whatever heights of patriotic exaltation the war spirit may
stimulate the British, German or French citizen, a realization of the
extreme gravity of the situation, for all the nations involved seems at
last to have imbued the people of these countries. A widely recognized
English authority, while charging the Germans with employing brutal
measures in the conduct of their campaign, declares that Germans
understand the business of destruction and they re IS thorough in
courage as in brutality" The Englshman says that the Germans have
sought to redress all their dsappontments and delays in war by what
IS perhaps the COIOSal eHOrt OF sheer duQdCly ana 1Snt1nS fOrCe
in the annals of any people. The invaders have been true to their
maxim of making themselves, at any cost, stronger in decisive direc-
ton. From that, everything has followed with appalling rapidiy and
sureness, and event after event has driven home the meaning of that
one military moral-srength in decisive direction, as with hammers OF
Thor. The whole plan may fall even now, if France has still any lead
es worthy of her ancient reputation for heroism and energy. But
everything has been jeopardized in the western war by the original
failure to comprehend the nature and direction of the German strategy
and the next few days will decide whether there is to be a huger Sedan,
followed by another investment of Paris, or more prolonged, resourceful
resistance, ending in dehveranCe. Remember, if it comes to the worst
on land in the next few days or any hour, the sequel will not be as in
1870. England and France will wait for Russia during the next few
weeks as Wellington waited for Butcher and means will be found, even
in the west, to battle hard. But apart from that certainty, it would be
impossible to exaggerae the gravity of the danger of the hour"
If Germany fails to strike a decisive blow within the next week
her chances of early success or of reaching the forts before Paris will
be greatly lessened, as the nearer the army atains to this goal the
farther it becomes removed from its source of supply and the more diff
hcult becomes the work of provisioning its men and massing its ar
ullery. Also, its nearer approach to Paris will see this army confronted
by a more compact and a better organized and equipped battle line than
the long and necessarily weaker front which the allies were compelled
to maintain in the absence of definite knowledge of the enemys plan of
advance. The dispatches indicate that the great test may be made
within the week.
What's become of the old time candidate who had a Jug in a
private cache on election day?
1t would be of interest to know the premium rate for life insurance
on European army avators.
The wearing of guns is going out of fashion at Butte.
Yachting parties IRE avoiding the North Sea these days.
The Cossacks are charged with brutality. Well?