Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-24

sentinel CITY eultor &
COME thousands of Russians captured, some
~ few yards gained by Joffre's men, some
English ships torpedoed by German sub
marines and the chilly winter is gone. The
fighting armies are frozen to the cold earth,
and pause in the hostilities. looking like
deadlock, brings temporary rest to the frozen
and weary combatants. The winter cam
paign will scarcely develop any surprises
but while important strategical movements
are not to be expected when the battle
ground Is in the icy grip of Boreas, the
spring will tell different tale: for all of
Europe Is now preparing for that time.
The German spring plan is worked out
upon the event of Italy's or Rumanla's join
ing the Allies. venture to say that on
August 3, when the Kaiser declared war on
Russia, there were tucked away in some
dusty corner of the drawer of Won Moltke's
table the mobilization plans against Italy
and against Rumania. Those of which
now know-against the countries of Russia,
France, England Belgium-were not the
only ones then prepared you may be sure.
I am very we'll informed
Italy and the German Wall
II Italy enters the war she will try to
break through the Austro-Italian frontier
and to land troops on the Adriatic shores of
Hungary. But there the mountains are so
strongly fortified that successful invasion
is impossible. If Italy wishes to support the
Allies in the best manner. she would trans
port her troops by way of Torino- Lyons to
the Franco German battlehelds This would
mean that General Joffre would have 1900,
900 more men to confuse their skulls the
German iron wall stretching from Basle to
the North Sea. With the new English army
the forces in France will surely outnumber
the Kaiser's forces three to one.
On the other hand bear In mind that the
German western army is protected by
triple line of fortifcatlons stronger even than
those of Antwerp: and Furthermore the fact
that in accordance with the modern strategy
of the great Won MoItke. stronger army can
win against it's enemy only by extending its
battlefront. II the numerically stronger
army stretches out its line. the weaker must
do the same to avoid the certainty of being
surrounded. Under ordinary conditions the
smaller force will be thinned by the extend
ing and cut to pieces, The German at
tack In August on Paris and the French
English counter attack proved the truth of
this theory.
But can General Joffre extend the Franco
German battle liner In no case For 1t
rests its left elbow on little Switzerland. it's
right on the shores OF the North Sea. There
fore the Germans are strong enough to with
stand the Allies even with Italy added to
their number And do not forget that Italy
must leave considerable army In Trlpoli.
too.
What Rumania's Entry Would Mean
The same thing is true in reference to
Rumania- II she should throw her sword
into the balance OF the conflict, she win be
compelled to retain a garrison Of about
100000 men at the Bulgarian frontier and
another 100000 men to guard her shores
against an attack OF the Turkish feet, With
the remaining 100000 she will try to invade
the South carpathians. But the South Carr
pathians are twice as wild and rugged as
kEe these same mountains in the north.
where the Russians came over into Hungary
moreover they can be defended easily with
one army corps. Therefore the result win
be that. failing IN this attempt. Rumanlas
100000 men Will join forces with Russia. or
with saryia: Tor only n this way can they
be e Any military value.
Rumanlz's snlranes lnto ths vaF wsn =