Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-25
is Germany Winning?"

tory for the Allies but who somewhat at loss
just now for reasons to buttress their faith will
find substantial reinsurance in Frederick Palmer's
article in the current number OF Golfers, lis Ger
many Winning?"
In the light of immediate conditions and on the
basis OF the map it stands today, one is con-
strained to answer yes. The Teutons inSrench-
ed on the enemys SOIL with a minor exception
two along the entire European front. They hold
Belgium and rich region of France; they are mas
tiers of Poland: they have Serbia under their heel,
and the coveted roadway TO Constantinople in their
possession. Their oversee colonies it is true, have
been snatched away and their maritime power put
utterly out of commission; but in continental Eu-
rope the great arena of the contest, the Central
Empires are predominant.
Yet, Interestingly enough. we hear no echo of
peace or compromise from the Entente camp. While
Berlin and Vienna repeatedly have limited readi-
ness TO consider terms of settlement, Paris and
London and Petrograd and Rome are talking only
of increased munitions increased armies and of the
spring campaign. As far the neutral world can
Judge the Allies are just as united as they were
year ago, and even more resolute They are go
ing to fight on and on. If Germany is to win. she
must stand this endurance test She must continue
her offensive against circle of foes fall back to
positions of defense. holding her ground against
multiplied and freshly equipped armies ana
against the tightening pressure of the British block
ade. The important fact, Mr.. Palmer sees 1t,
is that after seventeen months of tremendous
tion Germany is further from victory than she was
in the initial stages of the If she has not
won yet, can she hope ever to win?
Consider this war of about twenty
rounds" he illustrates. Germany tried for
knockout in the first five. Having failed,
many thought her offensive was over. But it
was not. She was still taking the initiative in
the tenth round. This winter brings US past
the fifteenth. 1t will be the nineteenth round.
perhaps the twentieth round itself. that will
tell"
IL Germany can strike as vigorously in the if
teenth round as in the fifth the tenth; if she
can match the resources which the Allies are or
ganizng latter stages of the struggle and at
the same time stand the drain upon her own blood
and nerves she can win Otherwise she must lose.
The extent of the Allies of strength is in
Dictated by Mr.. Palmer when he says:
'England's new munition factories have
only begun TO supply shells. The maximum
American and japanese output will not be
reached until February March. With spring,
the Allies for the first time will have a real
superiority in guns, material and men on the
fighting line Germany probably still has four
million fighting men, and Austria three mil
lion. France must have close to four million,
England over three million and Russia three
million. not counting her uEorganzed reserve.
Thus the Allies will have a superiority equival-
emit to the new British army. If Germany is
going to continue her offensive, where can she
strike? Can she undertake another offensive
against Russia when in May the French
all the front line trenches in the West with shells
and undertake an offensive with FIVE times the
artillery power of Champagne and Loos? II
the German with all his strength. failed to get
a knockout in the spring of 1915. can he hope
for il in 1852"
In the gathering clouds of the summer of 1914
the TeutOns counted a swift short, decisive
against France and Russia alone They did not
reckon then upon England's entry, which has meant
the paralysis of their sea power. They confidently
expected to crush France and stagger Russia in
the space of few months, and then, enriched by
huge indemnities TO press the development of their
navy for a mighty struggle with England in the
years ahead The German chancellor expressed
amazement that England should go to
"a scrap of paper that involved nothing i'm
portant than her pledge TO little Belgium. The
British navy and British resources the
factor on which the Teuton miIitarsts had not cal
culated in their wonderfully careful plans. And
that was the factor which predestined the to be
a long struggle of endurance in which the odds
would be all against Germany, instead of a brief,
sweeping campaign in which the odds would be all
in Germanys favor.
II is not surprising therefore, that the Teutons'
major plans have bent and broken on the line of
this initial surprise Their projected dash to Paris
has failed Their designs against the Channel ports
have fallen. Their fierce drive toward Petrograd
has been frustrated if not abandoned. Their only
successful offensive, successful that is say far
as ultimate. aims concerned, has been in the
Balkans: and no one knows better than the Ger
man General Stan that the Balkans not the
decisive arena of the struggle.
Speculation as to the precise outcome of the
war is admittedly hazardous, but il is uncommonly
interesting that an observer of Frederick Palmers
ability expects a conclusive victory for the Allies
and expects decisive turn of events by next
tumn. One may not be convinced by Mr.. Palmers
course of reasoning, but one is deeply impressed.