Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-29

~ HE stupendous role which Russia
has played, and no doubt will con-
q tinue to play until the end of the
war, engages the attention of the mill
tary students and many classes of nom
military students in all the countries
not Immediately involved in this world
quaking conflict. They feel that the
monster struggle between the Slav and
the Teuton. impending for ages, is on.
They believe that these races are now
III life and death grips and that the
Struag gle cannot cease until one or the
other is crushed. The chances, despite
lack of organization of munition lnuus-
tries. according to the belief of many,
are with the Siav.
The military capacity of Russia has
not been found wanting under the SUI
preme test OF war and her military re
sources have not nearly attained their
full development. The weight of pow
er, say the military observers, must
turn strongly and finally with over
Whelming force against Germany and
Austria. Great Britain holds the seas
The merchant marine of Germany, her
commerce and her flag have been swept
from the seas What is left of her fleet
is practically bottled up. The opera
tons of her undersea boats are irritat-
ing. but the military results from this
form of war have been small. Ger
many's supplies of the essentials for
war are still ample and some supplies
pour in through the small neutral
countries to which she has access, but
her own supplies must dwindle and
those from the small neutral countries
must become more and more precarf-
Gus. This stranSllng process is SLOW
but. If the pressure is not relieved, 1t
will be sure. British armies month by
month are becoming more :. factor in
The struggle. Great Britain has the
men. and she is producing and will pro-
duce in increasing ratio lines of cannon
and machine guns and mountains of
ammunition.
France stands her ground. and her in
siustrtal organization, reinforced by
foreign purchases. keeps her great ar
mics supplied. Italy is beginning to
come in. Whether she should break
through the Austrian defenses or not
her eNertions will keep Austria en-
gagged IN one frontier and compel her to
consume ammunition and other war
supplies that must. and at no distant
day, become precious.
If the Dardanelles are opened. so much
the better for Russia, and much the
worse for Germany. but whether the pas
sage from the Aegean to the Black sea
IS forced now or never the resources of
turkey must wane and her strength col
lapse. Military observers see ali these
Things. and do not nIinirnzc the immense
struggle which Germany is putting up
sS the result Of generations of prepara-
ton Tor war or aga IIsi war. and the lack
Of preparation nf her enemies.
SO, after Great Britain, France and
Italy. the students Of war and the students
ef races come back to the question of the
Slav and the Teutun--a conflict of races
ali age-lonS conflict which many observers
say lies the bottom of the cause of
the war.
In SO far as the land operations of the
war are concerned. this war has been
very largely a war between Russia and
Germany and Austria. Russian strategy
has been excellent and usually brill. antiy
capable, with the exception of the first
1ush into East Prussia. and the reasons
Tor that are clearly understood. 1t was
not contemplated at the outset of the
war. and was premature, h''t it was &c
relieve the overpowerins pre--lIre against
tde small British army and the French
by the German sweep through Belgium
and Luxembourg. II fulfilled its purpose,
hut it was costly diversion.
The Teuton-Slav contest has been long
coming. Germany and her ally have seen
il They called IL the Slav peril, the
Nuscovits peril. the Cossack peril. etc. II
was the Siavs recognition Of the Teuton
menace that led Russia into the under
standing with France. and later with Eng
land, which all the world came TO know