The Washington times., 1915-01-18
THE LAST RESERVES


From all the major participants
In the European conflict come more
or less casual and fragmentary hts
of information which, taken togeth-
er, indicate clearly that all are pre-
pairing to make the utmost possible
showing of numbers and strength
with the opening of the spring cam
paign.
Russia was said day or two ago
to have new army of 100000 men
ready to be projected into the fight
ing.
Austria is reported getting TO-
gether a new army.
France, according to a curiously
naive report from British observer,
is bringing forward forces of re-
serves so vast as to be the amaze
ment of everybody cognizant Of the
facts.
In the Solent and the harbor Of
Southampton, a few days ago, the
captain of a transatlantic liner
saw 125 transports, waiting their
turn to take on regiments Of Kitch-
ener's army for movement to the
Franco Belgian fields.
German reports all agree in the
assurance that the empire will have
a greater force for the spring cam
paign than ever before, despite the
losses that have been sustained.
In view of the vast efforts that
are making, then, in every corner of
the Continent, to get ready for the
spring campaign, it is difficult to at
tach great significance to operations
just now going on. A small French
force some time ago got across the
Aisne river. A food in the river
carried away pontoon bridges, the
Germans attacked, and the French
had to retire across the stream be-
cause they could not be effectively
supported from the other side. 1t
has been represented as a first-class
German victory, but the circum.
stances surrounding it hardly war
rant that assumption. In a some.
what similar fashion, in Poland, Ger.
luan and Russian forces ar able tc
make movements at this season, by
reason of the rivers being frozen
THAT may have to be undone later
possibly when the rivers are open
and it is very apparent that no gen
eral will risk too much in such op
erations. An army dependent on it,
ability to cross a frozen river, either
to keep in touch with its communi
cations, or to unite with its mail
, force, is in a position in which thre'
days of warm rain might win a de
cisive victory for its enemy. To b.
,, able to cross great rivers on tn
ice is a vast convenience, indeed, il
; winter campaigning; but to &c
across and then be unable to ge
: back might be a first class disaster.
: With all the new forces that ar
coming into the field, there must b
;, much speculation as to whether som
new grand strategy may not be un
dertaken on one side or the othel
= For example, there is some highl
responsible military authority fo
:, the opinion that sooner or later tn
French and British must outfan
Germany, by landing a great arm
somewhere in the territory tributar
to the mouth of the Elbe. That pre-
supposes a naval move to open tn
= way; after that, an army landed
J that region would put an end to a
y fear of German sea power, would
able to threaten Berlin from til
y rear, would compel division of tn
. German armies on the previously e.
e tablished fighting lines, and woul
u carry the horror of war right to tn
Il heart of the empire. Is it possibl
that some such Napoleonic plan ma
II yet be attempted?