The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-08
THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE.
Why II Must 10 in the West and
What Is Likely 10 Follow.

To EDrroR OF THE SrN--Str:
Prophecies regarding the end OF the
world war now raging may he expected
70 Hood the press uf tho country in in
crcasinx number from now or. COnsc-
quently mine may deserve u passing re-
view. I might claim In Justification,
however. that II is not wholly prompted
by "A desire to enter the ranks of the
prophets. but in part to Illustrate tho
qualifications Of international relations
incident to calamity Of such enormous
proportions as the present war.
There Is hardly n citizen at the pres
ont time who does not realize the possi-
bility. remote or otherwise. Of our being
drawn n the maelstrom. yet at no
other time OF domestic reace In our
country has greater chaos prevailed at
the Capitol. The greatest need of the
nation to-day Is cohesion. yet 1t en-
%periences administrative chaos. The
preparedness propaganda Is but an aca-
demical failacy under such circum-
stances. II represents nothing tAneible
without government. n with chaos
there can De no government. Tho ira
ditionai spirit Of freedom that IL our
heritage H. threatened to-day for rea-
sons Of misinterpretation. The coun-
try's Constitution provides separate
provinces for the Executive, tn. Judi
ciary and the Legislature. expecting
each to exercise reasonable dependency
on the other In practice. To-day an
unreasonable observance of the Consti-
tuition In made IN the name of freedom.
Too much freedom SPELLS anarchy, how
ever. and so II is that Law, order and
security are sacrificed through misin-
terprctation TO the detrimcn, of the ma
tons crying need cohesion. Perhaps
tna SntlnutpU ltatGrnent Of ths hatltgaf-
ents' possibilities may awaken the
minds Of more of our unselhsh patriots
10 the enormity OF affairs In the worlds
political arena ut the moment.
Lack of further effective reserves
tspring Of 1870 will necessitate Ger
many's restriction of her offensive TO
the western front until the end ~ the
wal. On its outcome will depend the
fortunes of the a Defeat on this
front. even though not Immediately de-
cisive. must prove fatal to her. The
consequent weakening Of eastern lines
for western reinforcement Will entail
such probabilities as the following:
A wholly defensive attitude.
Rumsnla Joining the Allies.
Bulgaria attein pting TO do likewise with
unfortunate results.
Inexpediency OF further German coop.ra-
tion with Turkey.
Partial tongues, by Eussia ara Rumsn,a
Of Hungary.
Rcconaues, by Russia OF Gaiicia and
Poland.
Compio,. tongues. ty italy OF italia IRE
denta.
Greek declaration ~ va, assir-, Turkey.
Italian and Portuguese declarations OF
war against Germany.
Decisive subsection 80 Turkey hy the
Atlas. internal s,-<ersipn IN that rOunfYy.
with Mosl~m sentiment against the Teu-
tons.
Gerrnany's defeat OIL the western front
need no. bc Immediately or wholly de-
e!s,ve to occasion such Consequences for
the o. ,cal result Of an abandonment of
the Offensive will bc a charge Of sent'-
ment among the people unfavorable 20
the var continuance German kultur
recognizes no such thing Us n defensive
war. and the fer'naric peoples arc 20
inibued with this military principle that
IL would 10 absolutely impossible IN rer-
onc!le pubic opinion 10 II. The people
would awaken ~ IN" knowledge that the
neutral world s. opposed to their unhi-
tons. Public opinion would attain un-
precederted important. AID would he IN
huenced strongly bv r." economic press
sure. already severe. II not extreme.
To srcure peace Germany II Aus
tia must sue for - and acct, ~ unprece-
dentedly harsh terms The price may
he expected 20 involve 10 some degree
the following conditions: Absolute dis
armament the surrender OF all allen
territories occupied the sacrifice OF
Alsace. Lorraine, Poland tn It's en-
tirety). Italia Irredenta and possibly OF
Tansylvania. Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.
also all foreirn colonial possessions held
by the Allies the cancellation Of all
previous commercial treaties with the
allied nations an indemnity no inter-
ference with the Internal policies OF Ger
many and Austria except as To the arrna-
ment question such ii step Mould mani
testify be unwisc, Improbable and bad
precedent.
The Teutonic sroup will IN consequence
be confronted with domcsti" problems
Of n most deli ate character Royolu-
t,onary propaganda Of some such de-
scr!pt'on as the following is inevitable,
though It's success can 1e merely a mat
ter Of conjecture Parliamentary reforms,
with the ultimate loss Of Pru=slln pres
tiGe the secession Of Hungary from tho
Dual Empire civil War in Austria and
amalgamation propaganda thy Ger
many, on the occasion OF tho death ~
Franz Josef. which event will bc aIt!ci-
pa.ed by ~propagaudlsts.
STArr or NAME PATRIOT.
wAsBfNGToS, II. G., March :.