The Washington times., 1915-06-01
THE FIGHTING IN THE EAST

east was political as we'll as military
in inspiration. 1t was necessary to
beat back the Russians, at whatever
cost, first as a demonstration to
Italy, before she had entered the
war. of the fact that the Teutonic
federation was still supremely pow
erful; and second, after Italy had
opened hostilities, in order to give
Austria freer hand to meet the on
slaught from the south. In the first
part Of this dual purpose the drive
failed, for it did not Keep Italy out.
In the second part it's success is at
least doubtful; for Austria and Ger
many are still compelled to exert
all possible force along the line of
the San while Italy is driving into
Trent. If Peremysl shall fall be-
fore the Teutonic allies, the military
purpose will have been measurably
achieved, for that accomplishment
will necessitate change in Rus
sian plans, and delay while forces
can be brought up for another as
sault on that fortress. But it be-
gins to be doubtful whether Pere-
mysl can be retaken. The force of
the Germanic blow has weakened be-
cause it was impossible to. sustain
it over so long and difficult front.
There is even some sign that the
San may prove another Marne; that
after reaching it by dint of mag
nifcent rush, the Germans may be
unable to hold it, and forced to re-
tire. That would make Peremysl
another Warsaw or Calais for them;
a prize sought with mighty effort,
but denied to their grasp.
Meanwhile every day must be add
ing new pressure on the German
leaders for more troops; troops to
hold the new lines in Galicia, troops
to hold back the Italians, troops to
strengthen the manifestly weaken
ing, even crumbling, German line in
the west; troops to face the recon-
stituted Serbian army, now ready
for another assault against Austria;
troops to guard against the menac-
ing irruption of Roumania into the
war; troops to secure the Holland
frontier where the exasperated
Dutch hold a strong force, not so
many miles from Essen as would be
comfortable.
1t may be expected that the Ber-
lin staff will shortly make another
shift in the scene of it's critical op-
erations. No matter if they drive
back the Russians and clear Galicia;
no matter even if they carry their
move this time to Warsaw, it will
still be impossible for them to gain
more than a respite from Russian
assaults. They cannot crush Rus
sia, which will be up and at them
again, with limitless reserves of
men whose utilization will be re-
stricted only by the difficulties of
equipping them.
There is good reason to believe
that Russian deficiencies in munition
supplies have greatly aided the
present effort of the Germans. For
months, almost all the munitions
that went to Russia from the out
side had to come over the trans
Siberian railroad from Vladivostok.
Factories in Japan have been run
ming full capacity, while American
supplies have been sent across the
Pacific. Now, however, the Arctic
port of Archangel is open and new
supplies are going in through it.
Probably one additional reason for
the great German onset of recent
weeks was the desire to break down
the Muscovite power before the
armies should be fully re-equipped.
If the Germans shall fail of def
mite accomplishment in this eastern
campaign-that is, as definite ac-
complishment as is possible in that
theater-they must fall back dis
tinctly weakened for their effort, to
confront more powerful enemies on
both the south and west, and per-
haps on the southeast. They must
reinstate themselves on the west
whence they have withdrawn many
corps for the eastern movement;
and, once having readjusted their
dispositions, they must make another
grand dash in some other quarter
Perhaps it will be another effort for
the channel ports, or for Paris; per-
haps a united sweep against Italy
In any case, it is worth while to
keep in mind that no one German Of
lfensive from the beginning Of the