Evening journal., 1915-09-22

A good deal OF comment has been ex-
cited by Lord Kitchener's assertion last
week that the Germans had "about shot
their bolt.' Various constructions have
been placed upon the statement, but
there is only one that seems in any
sense reasonable. Beyond all question
the Austro-Cerman armies are as large
today as they were in the opening
months of the war. when their field
forces were completely organized. But
It is only by examining the figures for
reserves that the actual situation is dis
closed.
We do not know all the official figures
for the losses of the combatants we do
have the estimates made by the Ger
mans of the French losses, Of the French
of the German losses. and of the Ger
mans of the Russian prisoners and cas-
ualties. On all sides the figures are
plainly too large, but they serve as a
basis for calculations.
German authorities fix the French
losses for the first year at around >
1000. The French estimate for the
Germans is 100000. The French loss
as estimated by the Germans. repre-
sents half the men actually mobolized
numbering 1000 On the same basis
the German losses would be around g..
10000 in both cases counting the men
III for service at Onc-tenth OF the popu-
lation. Let us accept the higher figure
for the French and the lower for tn,
German.
As to the Russians. The Duma wa;
told that 100000 Russians had beer
put in the field. The Germans claim they
they and their ally have taken 2.5OO,OOC
prisoners This is too high but let ui
accept it. Noy, the casualties in addi
tion must be not less than 500 600
many of the prisoners were doubtless
wounded. This means total loss o
100000 Allowing in the case of th'
French, Russians and Germans that ,
quarter of the casualties have been re
/ turned, the net loss for these nations
would be- French 100000. Germans ,,
100000. Russians 3.5O0.OOO The Aus
trian net loss approximates 100000
the gross exceeds 100000 and include
almost 1000, 900 prisoners.
We know the British loss fell but
little short Of 100000 for the first year
and the Belgian and Serbian may b,
rcckoned at 100000. italy in her frs
months up to August lost perhaps
! 100 600.
The aggregate permanent loss for thu
Allies is thus 100000. and for the Teu
tonic powers 5.OOv,O0O. In the first yea
of the war the French and Russians. e
make good their losses. put in the fel,
together 100000. The British put il
J 100000 new troops. and the Italian
$50. 900. The Allies had in the field 4,
500. 600, their permanent casualties weri
100000, the fresh troops number g.
$50, 600. The net increase was thu
$50. 900. and they have now in the fel'
about 5,250OOO. In the same time th'
! Teutonic allies merely made good thei
losses Of 5000 900 and still have $500.
600 in the field
Allowing one.tenth for the fraction o
a national population available for war
the French have now a reserve Of 500.
600 plus the eonscYipts of 1917. that hav
| lust been called. or 100000. But IN
British have raised 3,O00.OOo troops b.
volunteering and have only put 900, 90
in. so they have available reserve O
1000. 900, which may be measurably in
creased by further enlistments, sa
100000. The Italians have only pu
$4,000 in. and under the law Of one
tenth thev have left the difference be
tween $4,000 and the 3.5O000o provide
by tenth of their population But n