The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-06-28
and especially in the Ardennes forest

and especially in the Ardennes forest
district. Here, bad French strategy,
coupled once more with panic in the
ranks, permitted the Germans to begin
their marvellous advance on Paris that
ended with the delivery of Joffre's
mastery counteroffensive east Of
Paris. The victory of the Marine, ana
the redoubtable Won Kluck's fight be-
fore the attacking French troops that
had been concentrated secretly In
Paris. produced an instantaneous re.
covery OF morale throughout France.
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.
after Joffrfe had shown that the Ger
mans could be beaten, spirit Of ma.
tional regeneration appeared. and this
creation of a new France began. Even
though the French army advances NJ
further than the present battle line,
France will emerge from the war with
her self confidence restored for the
first time since it was shattered in
1S7O-71. Whatever the terms OF peace
may give to the French people, this
will be 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 flank OF the allies and
prevented Won Kluck's from carrying
out his encircling objective. Not only
was an overwhe Ginning disaster thus
prevented, but the French were given
time to steady themselves for the
ultimate delivery of -Joffre's counter
stroke. The great army that the Brit
ish empire has raised by its volun-
teer system, has yet to make 1tse"t
felt in the struggle. 1t is lacking IN
equipment and has not been able to|
demonstrate it's full worth against the
Germans. Elsewhere, however, troops
of the British empire have acquitted
themselves we'll. A South African
army has wrested German Southwest
Africa from the teutons; Australians
and New Zealanders have seized Ger
many's Pacific colonies and an anglo
Indian force has wrested the Parsian
gulf hinterland from the Turks and
has conquered the legendary site of
the Garden of Eden, between the Tig-
ris and Euphrates rivers. Englands
most important contributions to the
war, however, have been made by her
fleet, and by the ability OF her bank
ers to finance the allies under condi-
lions OF unprecedented interferences
with foreign trade balance.
Austrias recovery from the effects
of her early defeat by Russia Is due
largely to the example set her by
Germany and to strategic plans Great
ed by the German general staff. The
Austrians have now resigned the man
agement of the entire campaign
against Russia to. the Germans, ana
ARE supplying very few troops to re-
inforce German eastern armies. A as
trian military activity is at present
chiefly concerned with resisting Italy.
lit is too early to say what Italy's en-
trance into the war will mean. just as
the fate of Constanttnople cannot be
foretold. The chief problem for the
Italians, and for the Turks, Is how. to
obtain sufficient supply Of ammnni-
Etion. The increasing number Of be-
Iligerents in fact, is outrunning the
worlds supply of munitions. At the
beginning of the wars second sum-
|mer, civilization is demonstrating her
inability to manufacture implements
Iof death In sufficient quantities to sat
isfy the worlds demand for them.
Civilization refuses to commit suicide.
This Is the brightest hope for an early
peace.