Semi-weekly herald., 1915-07-26

full offensive possible while conduct
an active defense on the other
fronts with the weakest forces. They
are attempting with millions of men
and practically all Europe for bat
t!efield what Napoleon repeatedly
did hundred years ago with hundreds
of thousands in much more restricted
areas. Napoleon would out manouver
his enemies until their armies were
separated and beyond supporting dis
ance of each other and then would
destroy them in detail, thus frequently
winning campaigns with inferior num-
bers. Germany is fortunate in not
having TO resort to skill to separate
her enemies, since the geography
of Europe has accomplished for her
what otherwise would be a difficult
task; but we must admit that she
has met with much success in her pre-
liminary efforts at the still more
difficult task of destroying in detail
the vast armies that have been
brought against her.
AS has been said before in these
articles the decision that would most
speedily terminate the war in Ger
many's favor is to be sought on the
western battle front, and the German
pre-war plan was TO seek and if pos
sible to reach this decision in sud-
den campaign that would overwhelm
Hra hnfpra IL IL.
harm in the east. She failed to do
this and was compelled to turn the
bulk of the Teutonic forces against
Russia. There are many reasons for
concluding that the original plan has
been abandoned only temporarily, but
the developments of succeeding weeks
in Russia bring increased doubt as
to Germany's ability to resume it in
the near future, if at all, in sufficient
force to insure success.
For time the great German drive
into Galicia promised so to weaken
and demoralize the German army as
to permit Germany to withdraw a
million or more men from this front
and shift them to some point on the
western front. Such u force suddenly
thrown into the fight in France with
artillery support and the disregard
for life that have characterized Ger
man attacks at decisive points might
well overwhelm the allied French
and English and decide the western
campaign. But the probability of
the Teutons being able to do this
grows less and less as time goes on
without decisive t.ieat of the Rus
slams, and our regard for the crafty
skill, strategic ability and sound
leadership Of the Russian commander
grows apace. More than two months
have elapsed since the beginning of
the present Russian campaign and
many times during that period the
Teutons have seemed to be on the
point of effectually dividing the Rus
sian forces, but on every such oc-
cassion our morning papers have told
us that the willy Russian has eluded
this catas trophe and is withdrawing
to a new position, where he can re-
peat his dangerous but APPARENTLY nee
essary tactics. The Teutons have
oreItun much territory, taken many
prisoners and captured much booty,
but the Russian army is still intact
with vast unconquered territory
behind it, and the Teutons are ap-
parently no nearer a decisive decision
then they were some weeks ago. But
there is no falling off in the vigor
of their campaign and they apparent
ly are determined as was Grant to
fight it out on the lines that they
have chosen regardless of the time it
may take.
The last effort to break the Rus
sian line began during the week un-
der consideration, is being directed
against the portion of the line which
ran almost east and west between
Kielce and Rawa-Ruska.
This new advance has succeeded
in pushing the Russians to the north
but has been unsuccessful as all pre-
vious efforts to cut the Russian army
in twain, and if we may judge by
previous performances of that army,
it will make any sacrifice of val
liable territory and important cities
rather than permit such an outcome
for the campaign.
And important sacrifices will prob
ably be necessary, for continuation
of the German advance will eventual
ly stretch the Russian line to the
breaking point, If il should attempt TO
remain indefinitely to the West of
Warsaw and the Vistula river. Either
the German advance must be checked