Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-28

prove themselves the decisive factor in the
war.
But the past four seasons of fighting have
shown that an empire not efficiently guided
In the days Of peace cannot suddenly trans
form itself into an effective organization for
war after hostilitles break out Russia, q
second-class industrial nation in peace has
proved itself to be a second-class fighting
nation in war. The past year has shown that
she is paying the usual penalty for ineffl-
cheney.
The French army committed three blunders
early in the war, but since then its com
manders have equaled the Germans in quail
ties of leadership, and its rank and file have
shown the highest courage The early French
mistakes were due to the same causes-in-
feriority of subordinate leadership and inde-
cision in the ranks. Poor leadership was re-
sponsible for too rapid advances into south
ern Alsace and western Lorraine last sum-
mer. When tho Germans delivered their
cOunter-strokes there was panic among the
French, and no subsequent efforts have been
able to recover the ground that was lost in
the French retreat
The third, and by far the most serious of
French errors occurred during the fighting in
southeastern Belgium, 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 Jofrres mastery coun-
ter-offensive east of Paris. The victory of
the Marne, and the redoubtable Won Kluck's
flight before the attacking French troops
that had been concentrated secretly in Paris.
produced an instantaneous recovery OF
morale throughout France
France Has Recovered It's Self Respect
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 Joffre had shown that
the Germans could be beaten spirit of ma
tionai rejuvenation appeared, and the crea-
ton Of new France began. Even though
the French army advances no further than
the present battle line. France will emerge
from the war with her Belf-conidence re-
stored for the first time since It was shat
tered In 1901. 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 armys work in the war was
most effectively done during the retreat TO
Paris British troops protected the left flank
carrying out his ancrcling objective. Not
only was an overwhelming disaster thus pre-
vented, but the French were given time to
steady themselves for the ultimate delivery
OF Jofrre's eounter-stroke
Austrias recovery from the effects OF her
early defeat by Russia is due largely 20 the
example set her by Germany and TO strategic
plans created by the German General stan
The Austrians have now resigned the man
agement Of the entire campaign against Rus
sia to the Germans. and are supplying very
few troops TO reinforce German Eastern
amles. Austrian military activity is at pres
ent chiefly concerned with resisting Italy It
is too early 10 say what Italys entrance into
the war will mean just as the fate Of Con-
stantinople cannot be foretold. The chief
problem for the Italians, and for the Turks.
is how to obtain a sufficient supply Of am
munition