New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-26
Defeated Germany.

There is no longer any question III Vne
minds of any but the most pronounced OF
Germanv's sympathizers as to the ultimate
outcome Of the conflict. 1t is patent 70
the least trained military eye that Ger
many is beaten. What the military men
Of the world are now debating is the length
Of time that will be required TO make alb
soluts a decision that is no longer sub
ject of debate.
If one goes back over the history of the
tremendous struggle it now becomes per-
fectly clear that we have lived through
two distinct and completed phases, that we
arc living in the midst of a third, which IS
marked by very clear and unmistakable
circumstances.
The first phase Of the war was the
supreme effort of nation of 65,0OO'OOO OF
people. having as an ally another nation
Of $4,000, OOO to destroy the military estab-
Tsbments of three nations with a COM
bined population of 215,O00,0OO in Europe
alone. and with almost unlimited resources
outside. before these nations could prepare
as Germany was prepared. Choosing her
own moment, choosing her own field OF
activity. having unrivalled artillery, I'M
inspected resources in the air and on the
battlefield, Germany struck. Her Great
General staff expected to dispose Of France
while Britain was still without any really
formidable army. 1t was their view that
Austria would hold Russia in check until
France was disposed Of
This first German conception was
wrecked at the Marine, where the French
Won the decisive battle of the whole con
nict. After the Marine the Germans we're
unable to resume their advance to Paris.
They were decisively beaten in Flanders
and were compelled to turn all their atten-
ton 70 the East to deal with Russia, which
was on the point Of destroying Austria. So
complete had been the Russian victory
over the Austrians that it was not until
the last days Of April, 1915, that Germany
could regain the initiative in the East.
She has never been able to regain it in the
West
The failure OF the first conception led d.
rectly 10 the deadlock in the West. But
behind the trench lines France and Britain
we're able TO reorganize their military es-
Establishments. Two years ago, when Ger
many struck France, Britain had rather
less than 10000 available for service on
the Continent To-day she has ten times
as many on the Continent French and
British artillery have now a superiority
over German and the supply Of munitions
Of the Allies is also superior in the West.
Having failed in the West and having
Deen long handicapped in the East by Aus
trian failure, Germany slowly evolved her
second conception, which was to attack
Russia while holding back France and
Britain in the West. Russia was to be as
sailed, beaten, put out Of the war, and
\ German and Austrian efforts were to be
concentrated on the West. This the Ger
mans hoped could happen before France
and Britain got ready. Here is the genesis
Of the Russian campaign Of 1915, which
brought amazing German triumphs on the
field, but failed entirely in its purpose, as
is demonstrated by the great and success
ful Russian campaign Of this summer.
Meantime Germany, having failed to
put Russia out, was obliged 10 90 to the
aid Of her Turkish ally, threatened with
destruction by the Allied attack at the
Dardanelles This was a surprisingly sue
cessful venture and enlisted Bulgaria, but
II necegsitated further delay in the West
and 1t was not until February, 1916, that
Germany could again turn her attention
20 the West. Now, as she had been com
PEELED % deal with Russia year before
she sought 10 deal with France and make
general Allied offensive in the West in
1916 impossible. In addition she hoped 70
break the will Of France and put France
out Of the war a. she had hoped 70 put
Rvssia out in 1915.
Verduu sealed the fate Of this conccp
ton and ended the second phase Of the