The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-30
By EDWARD MARSHALL.
ORD SIDENHNM "f Connie.

N|' ffs $500 'A w. A'"'H
statement If tho existing situation, tn
occurrences which he'd up tn war aud
TIE actors which might have pre-
vente hostilitios was So cNceedingl,
clear and interesting that | furcbore to
vut tn him anr queries whatsoever.
PROPHECIES 1T the beginning of -
war" said Lord Sydcnham. are al
ways dangerous. because the relative
sacngth and resources mora. ma
ieriai md economic of the comta'-
ants can nrN or hc estimated with any
approach to accuracy. " fiis il true
If all wars since the European settle
io,nt in 1913. 1t applies with 'ninitei,
deeper meaning to the gigantic con-
fIict nov in progress.
N one could form any idea ~ ti'"
mighty forces which could he brought
into play. of the attitude II tho bell
rserents toward international agree
ments. or of the action which might Ice
taken bv 'eutrnls. Al tn" materials
Tor nrriviOg NJ a Just forecast of vcu
were lacking. and the full extent of tn"
Preparations ~ the Power which I'M /
determined 10 seclrc world dominion
ny fuicirg war pom IL ncighbor~ war
unknown.
ITO many Of US the olitlrurines ~
Won Eernhardi seemed as the dis
,rdercd rawlings II u military thi'i-
Whist. which We failed To- a-socia;"
With the deliberate purpose II civilized
government in n country li"spe,int
exceeding, in al, the ats of com
fherce and industry.
'yierUnsn, W. thought at least Till
Isil--wus =" evidently launched upon
&, career of Success and had ~ much -
risk as to- bt iacalabi" .f setting
Europe On flames under u ruler who
posed rs the divinely appointed guar
dian OF the general peace. We wer"
wrong. and we now SNe that We ought
tc have taken warnings II a We're not
wanting.
To Aiu,t ica,s. as t. "a. Allies. ~"
war has brought the shattering of
many illusions. Yet. looking Jack to-
day. freely admitting liunders of the
frst magnitude. and realizing. a. ""
could not in August, 1914. the ire
mendous preparations direct AMI IN
dfrec, of Germany and the ~unreadsless
Of all the Entente Powers. We have NJ
reason TO wonder greatly AT the
present situation or 10 believe that in
eighteen months the initial advantages
Of our enemies could have been com
pletcly overtaken hy u helat"i
efforts.
With an appalling expenditure of
life and treasure the Central Powers
have succeeded in Nrecking three small
Statcs two of which would still l."
holding their own lut for tho ireach-
cry Of the King Of bulgaria.
after fourteen months Of war, with
out any decisive military achievement,
the Germans suddenly embarked upon
their Eastern projects. at once addinS
largely 10 their commitments ana TO
the drains on their resources.
~ W no wish 20 minimize the nm
i,ortance Of their territorial gains. tn"
occupation OF belgium and ola II
to a less extent of Serbia has brought
grist to tn. German mil, at IN" 'A-
pense of the unhappy Inhabitants. II
has not led 70 victory AMI must IN
Nolve increased strain.
"As matters now stand. there Is II"
theatre Of war III which h Germans
can expect such measures of success
a. would bring about "a decision. The
Same may he said of III" position of
tho allies. hut with a difference. The
Central Powers have passed their milf
tsry zenith and the resources Of their
are still incr,ft-ipu.
"Thc deficiency Of artillery. NUM-
lions, machine guns and rifles on tn"
part of the Allies is being made good.
although the great development Of
producing capacity which was taken
IN hand in the United Kingdom in
August last Is only now beginning TO
comc into play. The increased output
in three or four months will be cnor-
nous and no equivalent development
is possible IN Germany to meet the de-
mands Of Turkey and bulgaria.
THE critical historian uf the war
viii note two great military f"at> tn"
advance 10 tho Marine ana the drive
through Calicn. The first. ny which
the mass Of the German army was
hurled through belgium. outhanking
md striking hard a. ~" Allics' left.
~as q fine performance which hut for
she unexpected resistance "f little Ec,-
xium and tho splendid tcnaci'y of ~
small British contingent might have
led 10 the occupation OF Parts. with We
suits which must have changed ny"
course Of the war. Tut IL was wholly
due TO measures taken in anticipation
OF the conflict which Germany had de-
cided TO force upon France and to
mcticulous arrangements worked out
in advance of the day
After the momcntOus battle Of the
Marine, when the original plan had
broken down and decisions had 10 I've
taken, the War Lord and his advisers
showed little STRATEGY" insight, missed
opportunities and permitted them
selves to he headed off from the Straits
of Dover and to hc tcthcrcd to the
line they now occupy.
THE second feat, also deliberately
o. planned, was due to Overwhelming ar
tillery strength by which successive
Russian positions were rendered un-
tcnablc, until at length the movement
northward from l.eInb.rg rould l' he
gun. threatening the loft fauk "f tho
Russian armies in Poland ana lead
ing to the abandonment Of III" Polish
quadrilitoraI
Great enterprises Of this Kind de-
pend on conditions which huy,
,i,au.~i 11s";"i-,, ~,ih a., ,u,r.aSJ, (!
munitions supply Of the Miles. In
France and flind"r- the r%"ltiiv. sr-
tiilery power has been almost reversed
Since last winter, and from the Bel
Iiutn coast To the Swiss frontier. rs
from the baltic provinces to the I'm