New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-13

4 4 l.
WNA/ is the burning question Of the
Wv day. Prophets there are many
TO answer it: military experts,
economists, statlsticians have made what must be,
,tcr all, only guesscs however logical their argu-
l'ats. These guesseS run from six months to
hrss years Suppose VIC estimate at one year and
half
The factors taken into consideration by the rash
rophets who have undertaken to set term for
be greatest war in the history Of the world have
sas far been three Food, money and men. or
be three. The question of numbers may be taken
p here first Trance and England frankly admit
lat they rely upon the incxhaustble supplies Of
iHnon food over which the Gar rules. lie has
ZEN in such quantities. and can order them to the
iughter with such Oriental disregard of human
is tother humans lives) that the factor of supe-
l'' quality of the German armies will be entirely
Himped. This Is, in fact Lord Kitchener reli-
n's He has said he was ready for war of two
q three years. Meanwhile Germany is puzzling
q military Oh crvcrs by the unexpected numbers
Trained soldiers she seems to have at her dis
@aL She ha., indeed. kept her military secrets
ri As or Austria-H Hungary, ] can say with
SoTedge Of the facts that her military resources
ave no; yet begun to show their full strength.
Il this war shall prove short one, it will not
on account Of the overwhelming numbers OF
9ssia in which Lord Kitchener puts his faith,
~ will it be because Of the starvation Of the
i''mans and Austro- Hungarians, or because Of
inr lack Of money. There is fourth factor in
as var which has thus far been disregarded.
u which believe to be the decisive one. A few
'~ds on supplies and finance first, however
FOOD SUPPLIES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
IN THIS WAR.
y addition to Transporting the millions and her
N Asistics to the western battlefelds. Great
'nain will employ her feet, not in battle if she
= avoid u, but in starving Germany and so
/" as possible, Hungary into submission
''aaoy She sill find this not nearly so easy or
expeditions task as the world seems 20 eN-
"I The two empires struggling for existence
:, Pousioned for year that is certain
@ Tor Che financial question, that is in so cha
Is condition as yet that il is matter for con
N'auon after the war rather than during its
e's'ess Here believe / may speak with lit
saIhority. The financing of wars has always
I" Vhaohe; suCn o science as war finance, with
strategy and major and minor tactics, has mo-
~eh evolved by the worlds hnanciers.
,.,'' @ however, call the attention Of theoretical
1''sai economists to the curious fact that dur
we hrst four weeks Of this war the gold re-
' o. the Deutsehe Bank has actually been in
''o oy some 2OOOOOOO marks. And / would
!. point out further. that the present war
!, Uses Of both Germany and Austria Hungary
=. ,gehl at home. In other words, the money
''aS N the country.
lh
AN. considering the reasons for an early ter
ss-a'n Of this war, then, neither food nor
49, Ssn be taken as a decisive factor The
sI.. FN on fighting for a yesr-without money,
d. =" sfedit and on scant ratiOns. What led TO
ss,i,... innate surrender was the lack Of am
u, :, !, And now have reached the real sub
\, ~ @s'opes consumption Of ammunition dur.
i fs.,. present war is already far greater thar
maj ~ % manufacture it needs hardly any
allies, with all their state and private