New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-24
CERMANY'S PLANS GONE. TO PIECES
Military Undertakings than Country Can Garry Through While leu
tonic Reserve Dwind and Activity Causes Heavy Losses.

that has been wanting peace. The secret OF
the German decision TO attack the lines OF
the Dunajec has also come out; the Russians
had been weakening their lines on this part
of the front. There were only 10000 men on
the whole Of that front when Mackensen
struck his blow.
As to the ability of Germany, once she has
committed herself to the Russian campaign,
to spare many men for employment else
where doubts may well be entertained, for
the Russian lines are too long to be held by
long line Of trenches, say 800 or 900 miles
long that would require nearly 100000
men, or Germany's total strength in the field.
She has also reached about the limits of her
establishment, for about one in seventeen Of
her population is all that she will be able
to put in the held 1t is also known that
Germany and Austria have only one-sixth
to one-twelfth of their reserve remaining.
Another important fact to be noted is that,
holding the command of the sea, the enemies
of Germany can land an army anywhere on
any coast, and in all probability this will be
done. Such a movement will be the eXecu-
ton phase Of the war.
As to Great Britain, let me assure you that
the munition problem was not so black as II
was painted The output in Great Britain
was increased tenfold last November, but re-
cruiting has been such a success that much
more war material was needed than was first
estimated. The armies which are being
held back will he all the better trained and
the better Differed as a result of the delay.
Responsible writers stated at the time the
munitions campaign was launched that all
Great Britain was short of was a little
7. n. 7. But other allies are coming into
the field, and they have to be mhnitioned, too.
It would not be surprising when the Grand
Alliance lines up in its entirety if Germany
and Austria should collapse like a house
Of cards
The mere fact Of Italy entering the war
a sufficient indication to any readers of
events that all was not as the Germans and
Austrians pretended Italy had ample time
through her spies to know the exact condi-
tons in Germany and Austria, and when she
went to war she had full understanding
with the general stats of her allies. 1t was
at that time that the Germans were claiming
such successes in Galicia and exaggerating
fvefold the number of prisoners they were
taking.
One great sign of the weakening of Ger
many has been the striving after political
effect This was exemplifed in the sub
marine blockade, and reached its climax in
the sinking of the Lusitana, the greatest
maritime outrage in the history Of the world
The object was 70 impress the opponents OF
Germany with her invincibility, TO cause a
moral weakening and desire for peace.
Then comes other features, including the
vociferatons of the Vatican, also German in
spired, for peace. The chances are that the
war will remain without decision for six
or seven weeks yet but according to informa-
ton received through official channels, the
intention is 10 do something important in
October Senator Lougheed acting Premier
of Canada, said the other day at recruiting
meeting that the British War Office now
estimated that the war would be over in a
year.
As to the strategy Of the Allies, it is not
to invade Germany. apparently, till toward
the close OF the war. for some writings of an
officer of the British General Staff, which |
have seen said that it would have required
II, 900 900 TO 100000 men to invade Ger
many at the beginning of the war, for Ger
many has a system OF strategic railways
modelled on the British system which has
been built up in India in the past twenty
five years, and this system would give the
Germans great mobility, which could be COM
pared in effectiveness TO the mobility of the
Beers in South Africa, when it took about
six Tommies to run down one Boer, owing
to the Boer being so well mounted and
mobile. Suffice it to be noticed that for de-
fence Russia has created vast force of
mounted infantry, and is about to use that
arm effectively. The further the Germans
penetrate into Russia the greater superiority
in mobility have the Russians over them In
fact. the fighting of the past six weeks in
Poland resembles in its nature the fighting
in South Africa, the Russians resorting to
cot dissimilar tactics.
W. II. STEWART.
Toronto, Aug. IL, 1915.