The Washington times., 1915-06-28
British Navy's Blockade Of
Germany Effective, But Re-
ply Is Failure.
SOME PRIMARY BLUNDERs
German Army's Effectiveness
and Russia's Collapse the
Big Surprises.

The third. and by far the most scri-
Gus Of French errors occurred during
the fighting In southeastern Belgium,
and especially in the Ardennes forest
district Here, bad French strategy, cou-
pied once more with panic in the ranks.
permitted the Germans ito begin their
marvellous advance on Paris that ended
counteroffensive east of Paris. The vic
tory of the Marne. and the redoubtable
Won Kluck's flight before the attacking
French troops that had been concen-
trated secretly in Paris. produced
an instantaneous recovery of morale
During the dark days Of the retreat
from Belgium, many people in Paris
were urging an immediate peace with
Germany to save the republic But
mans could be beaten, spirit of ma
tional retuvenation appeared. and the
creation of q new France began. Even
though the French army advances no
further than the present battle line,
France will en>rge from the war with
her self-confidence restored for the first
time since Ii was shattered in 1901.
Whatever the terms Of peace may give
to the French people, this will bo their
greatest prize that they have learned
to stand steadfast in the face Of the
enemy.
The British army's work in the war
was most effectively done during the
retreat to Paris. British troops pro-
tected the left tlank of the allies and
prevented Won Kluck from carrying out
his encircling objective. Not only was
an overwhelming disaster thus prevent
ed. but the French were given time
to steady themselves for the ultimate
delivery OF Joffre's counterstroke The
great army that the British empire has
raised bv its volunteer system. has yet
to make itself felt in the struggle. 1t Is
lacking In equipment. and has not been
able to demonstrate its full worth
against the Germans. Elsewhere, how
ever. troops of the British empire have
acquitted themselves well.
Financial Power.
A South African army has wrested Ger
man southwest Africa from the Teu-
tons: Australians and New Zealanders
have seized Germany's Pacific colonies
and an Angfo-Indian force has wrested
the Persian Gulf hinterland from the
Turks and has conquered the Legendary
site of the Garden of Eden, between the
Tigris and Euphrates rivers. England's
most important contributions to the
war, however, have been made by her
fleet. and by the ability of her bankers
to finance the allies under conditions
OF unprecedented interferences with
foreign trade balances. .'
Austria's recovery from the effects OF
her early defeat by Russia is due largely
to the example set her by Germany and
TO strategic plans created by the Ger.
| man general stan. The Austrians have
now resigned the management of the en-
! tire campaign against Russia to the Ger
| mans. and are supplying very few troSps
/ to re-enforcc German eastern armies
| Austrian military activity Is at present
| chiefly concerned with resisting Italy
| 1t is too early to say what Italy's en-
trance into the war will mean, Just a!
| the fate Of Constantinople cannot b'
| foretold.
| The chief problem for the Italians
| and for the Turks. Is how to obtain
! sufficient supply of ammunition. Th,
increasing number of belligerents. II
| fact. is outrunning the worlds supply o
| munitions. At the beginning OF tn.
| wars second summer. civilization Il
| demonstrating her ina bility to manufac
| ture implements of death in sufficien
| quantities to satisfy the worlds demand
for them. Civilization refuses to com
init suicide. This is the brightest hop,
for an early peace.