New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-27

W W GtAa4tt'
sion which It were charitable TO call
merely German, lord Roberts scrawls
his ignorant libel" There is much
more, but these will do for samples.
These insults have never. so far as !
know, been withdrawn or apologizeG
for But they are not repeated os
against Lord Derby, although Lord
Derby Is a leading advocate of form
of military compulsion far more dras-
tic than Lord Roberts's scheme.
The War Council.
Whether the War Council, which Mr.
Asquith delights TO call his War
Committee of the Cabinet, has much
bettered the general conduct Of the
war. the public have little means Of
judging. Their work is not for the pub
lie eye or ear. But it is known that
the numbers Of the Council have I'm
effect been increased. The meetings
are attended by outsiders: by military
and naval experts. by Ministers who
are not members Of it, and others. Sir
Edward Grey is not a member. but is
often present. When Lord Kitchener
came back he attended. Asked in the
House whether Lord Kitchener was
present, Mr. Asquith first replied that
he attended as Secretary Of State for
War Asked whether he was a mem
Der. the Prime Minister answered.: "Of
course" So that the Council of Five
has now become a Council Of Six About
the reorganization Of the General Staff
we are told little, and l suppose ought
not 20 be told. IL is at best an i'm
provised staff, hurriedly collected at a
crisis of the war; its composition, its
procedure, its authority. still undeter-
mined or subject to change.
Italy's Position.
Abroad there are some good omens.
The entrance Of Italy into the Pact of
London is one. Rightly or wrongly,
there has been a feeling that Italy
came into the war upon calculation
of her own interests; and had taken
the part in the war which she thought
most conducive 10 her own interests;
even If that were so, she was within
her rights. Enlightened self-interest
is the rule OF all governments in ordi-
nary times. II was known. or supposed,
that Italy took up arms only because
she failed 70 obtain from Austria the
concessions of territory she thought
essential Il was feared she might lay
down her arms when she had obtained
the TrentinO, Trieste, and perhaps con
troll Of the Adratic.
To all those criticisms or conjectures
Italy has now given her final answer.
She binds herself, as England, France.
Russia and Japan had bound them
selves before. 20 make no peace except
conformity with all the Allies. She is
now not only in but Of the Alliance;
which for some fantastic reason it is
still the fashion here to call the En-
tente. II is taken for granted that
she must now declare war on Germany
as well as Austria. Already it is said
German troops have been sent to help
Austria at Gorilla.
Allied Conferences.
Best Of all, perhaps, is the fact that
the Joint Councils Of War in which the
Allied Ministers take part seem likely
10 be frequent Mr. Asquith, Lord
Kitchener and others went to Calais
last week 20 meet Mr. BRAND and Cen
eral Gallitni. the new French Minister
Of War, at a new Conference. Russia
and Italy are expected soon 20 send
representatives TO these meetings. So
al last there is a prospect Of that con
sidered and agreed military and diplo-
matte action between all the Allies the
want of which has been one cause Of
such disasters as have befallen them
and their armies.
Machensen's Wound.
The Serbian bullet which found its
way into come part Of the body Of
Field Marshal Nackensen deserves to
be noted as one Of the instances Of re-
cent good luck for the Allies. Wound
not serious" says the German dis
patch. The Germans said the same
thing when General Won Kluck was
wounded. but he was disabled for
months and has not resumed his com
mand The methodical meudacity Of
the Germans is equal 20 all emergen-
cics. Il is not known who will succeed
Mackensen If he has TO 90 into hospi-
tai lie passes for the ablest General
they have. Whoever replaces him must
be an experiment. Mackensen has now
for some months been the Idol Of the
Fatherland, rice Hindenburg, tempo
rarily or permanently deposed from his
pedestal G. W. S.