The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-07-09
RESULTS OF ALLIED DRIVE

AhC NoiuC vi tiC ACSutSo oNhhCNTu
by the general offensive Of the al
lied nations on three fronts 10 not
to be estimated alone in military
terms. From the military point Of
view'it must be apparent that on the
whole the first week Of the big move
ment has achieved more than could
have been expected. In gains Of ter
ritory and entrenched lines the ad-
vance has been highly important; in
strategic significance these gains
have been still more significant. In
the demonstration that the allies
have the power, now, to seize and
hold the offensive, that they are dis
tinctly superior to their enemy in
artillery and in the privilege Of using
ammunition without stint, there is a
reinsurance that must be Of the
greatest encouragement. Finally,
the British army has proved that it
is now finished force. II is capable
Of smashing even the redoubtable
Prussian guard, which on Friday it
drove cut of q village on the Somme
front.
All the accounts indicate, more
positively than ever before, that the
matching Of human factors is at
length turning to the advantage Of
the allies. They are putting perhaps
couple Of millions Of fresh, sea-
soned, thoroughly trained soldiers
into action, and they find the pris-
oners they are taking from the Ger
mans to be largely youths of the
newest classes. This is no argument
against the fighting quality Of these
German youngsters; wars have toe
long demonstrated that youth makes
the ideal soldier. But the presence
of whole divisions Of the youngest
troops yet brought forward by Ger
many does indicate that the supply
of men is not keeping up under the
fearful drain.
Thus far, perhaps the most i'm.
portant advantages to the allies lie
in the restoration Of their credit. II
is announced that new loans are
about to be issued. The time has
been made peculiarly suspicious. II
is now become plain that the en-.
tente powers seriously intend and
expect to force a military victory al
the wars climax; and that they car
muster the power to do it.
Germany and her allies have beer
forced to maintain the cost Of the
war from their own resources. Ger.
many has had . deficit Of food sup
plies, made up chiefly from Austria
Austria has been financially weak
and has been sustained in this direc'
ton from Germany. Neither car
draw on the world at large, as the
allies are able to do.
The dispiriting effect Of the new
conditions upon the German people
must be quite as significant as viii
be the renewal Of confidence amonf
the allies. Against such q power al
it's enemies are now displaying, Ger
many will not always 'amiably &C
quiesce in the sacrifice Of her sol
diers to shrapnel and her civilians t,
starvation. There will come q re
vulsion, and the signs Of II arc 10
ported from many directions. It Il
reported In private advices from
Germany. within the last few days
that plans are making for . nation
wide scheme Of close control Of al
food supplies. It goes 30 far as Il
contemplate meal tickets for the en-
tire population, with strict limita
tions on the variety and quantity t,
be served at q meal.
German soldiers have general!
been we'll provided for thus far. Elk
ceptions have been found, of course
but that has been the result Of mill
tary exigency due to physical din
culties in getting supplies to tn,
front when needed. Not so good ,
report can be made for the poorer
classes Of German civilians.
When the last possibility Of ,
great victory, indemnity, expansio,
Of territory, achievement Of worlt
leadership, is realized to be lost, tn,
German people will not be long max
ing their protest heard against con
tinuance Of a horror that can onl,
make their last state worse tina,
their present.
1900 CLERKS PICNIC