New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07

the German lines in a general often
sve, with no certainty Of success under
present conditions, to say the least |
write moderately and with a prodiG-
ious sacrifice Of men and material,
which might be employed later with de-
csive effect indeed, when means and
devices Of attack had been further null
tplicd and increased by the Allies and
when other things had happened else
where.
The Russians are in a not very dis
similar position. Their railway faclli-
ties and other means Of movement are
inferior TO those Of the enemy. They
are faced along their further stretched
front b. defensive works Of the most
elaborate and formidable kind, backed
by excellent means Of communication.
Their recuperation has been marvel
lous. But they are only half way
toward the development Of their ul;!-
mate strength.
They are IN no hurry. BY next
spring they will have 5000, 600 equipped
men, with artillery and all ammunition
10 match. With time they can do their
part Of tho work and enable the Allies
u the west to do theirs II the latter
have equal endurance grim and far
North Sea and the Nosges. while emu
lating and cooperating with the Rus
SLAMS IN sufficient activity IN that com
mon field for the operations OF all
the Allies the southeastern theatre,
through which lies the absolutely sure
Inc Of approach to the yltals OF The
Central Empires.
on that line nothing could stop the
Allies II they were resolute TO DO their
business. That business once thor
oughly accomplished, everything else
would be added unto them on the main
fronts. The Ottoman Empire once COM
pietoly mastered. the movement through
the Balkans would be deadly 10 Austria
and in the end 10 both the Central En-
pires, for IL would thrust IN from the
south between the main lines Of their
dispositions east and west.
In Armenia the Grand Duke has
shown what can be done II the west
ern Allies would use their sea power
10 cooperate definitely with him every
thing could be done, and sooner than
is now generally imagined. After
Erzerum ard Trebizond the Russians
ere weaving their tolls round Erzinjan.
Once that rs in their hands the capture
OF Kharput and Diarbekr will be sure.
Russia would be within less than 200
miles from the Syrian coast, opposite
the island Of Cyprus. occupied byIord
Peaconsfeld with prophetic vision "a
A future base. BY cooperating from
that coast Britain and France could
make sure Of joining hands with the
Grand Duke.
What then? Armenia. Mesopotamia,
SYRIA and the whole Arabic world
4 1
pirc. Reduced TO Anatolia, deprived OF
all the Turkish dominions, threat
eHed with final disaster. the Ottoman
partner would perforce withdraw. Even
row we know for certain that Turkey
has had enough and would fain negoti-
ate a separate peace, but has probably
rot yet had quite enough TO bring the
Porte and the Young Turks once for all
t. the indispensable terms.
Now, II the Grand Duke has shown
what may be done in the Near East it
must next be remembered that or both
sides Of the sea in that region. espe-
cially at Salonica and in Egypt, the
western Allies. with the reconstructed
Serb army. 10000 strong, have more
than 100000 men altogether Cooperat-
ing with the Russians on a definite
plan Of progressive advance, these
forces could eliminate Turkey in Asia
altogether from the struggle IN the
i.Iesent campaign.
Next they could as certainly make
sure OF Constantinople and reopen the
Black Sea. Next the Grand Duke him.
self could cross the BospOrus and take
command in the Balkans. In that pc
ninsula the troops of the Grand ALI
ance alone would number-after GER
tain convenient readjustments-at least
a million.
But other things would happen. Ru-
mania would strike in on the side Of
the Allies. The Bulgarkn people would