New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-12

permanent settlement in favor Of the
Central Empires at Russia's expense,
there will be no real attempt to knock
Russia out of the war, no great Ger
man offensive on the eastern main
front, because Germany has no longer
got the men.
"Now or Never" for Germans.
The next few weeks will be all i'm
portant. If Germany has not developed
by the end Of June some great move
ment against Russia at one point or
another of the eastern fronts in Eu-
rope or Asia, the complete and crush
ing victory of the Allies can only be
matter Of time. II is NOW or never"
with Germany. She must break Russia
or in the end be broken.
At Verdun the Germans, beyond all
doubt. have been led further than they
meant to go. They are still trying to
press forward by inches, hoping that
if they reduce the place by autumn it
will be something gained. Their rela-
tive losses are undoubtedly less raw
aging than was at first thought, though
of course serious.
Theories of passionate imbecility
cannot be attributed by any sensible
person to the German Great General
staff. They are magnificently equipped
with heavy artillery and use il with
admirable skill. They hope still to
gain gradually something worth while
at Nerdun, even if there Ia no longer
a chance OF gaining all they expected
at the outset.
Where the Germans are still misled
is through the bad psychology which
leads them even yet TO underestimate
the fibre and ability Of all other ma
tons The belief now known to he
held in Berlin is that the reserves OF
France will be practically exhausted In
the struggle for Nerdun, and that
France will be constrained 10 a sepa-
rate peace. II is an utter delusion.
British Ready TO Move.
France in such circumstances would
become, not submissive nor acquies-
cent, but more desperate in resolve and
endurance. Meanwhile the British
army on the western front stands al
ways at our ally's disposal, and is not
only sure of its numbers, but is i'm
proving every day in equipment. We
are entitled 10 think that its artillery
will be second TO none that has been
known in war, let Krupp's and the
Skoda works do what they will. Time
is not with the Germans In that re-
spect, nor is IL in another
The Russian detachments in France
will mount up gradually and become
a heavy factor IN the war if the Cars
armies cannot be overthrown on their
own fronts. II is the only way.
Germany must break Russia, or the
Central Empires must be broken in the
end by the combined weight Of all the
Allies.
It is limited that Berlin and Vienna
may find another resource. German,
Austrian and Swiss papers have been
full of threats that some great stroke
this year would settle Italys hash.
A hard Austrian push in the Tren-
tino has thrust the Italians back a
little. But the fullest plans of the lat
ter were made before the war for a
fight to cover Lombardy and Venetia
against any onslaught seeking TO drive
straight down from the north.
A certain retreat 10 BEGIN with was
part Of the design. Now the Italians
occupy far stronger positions than they
held before enter.ng tho lists, nearly
twelve months ago. The Italians have
100000 men modified. There is no
serious belief that an offensive against
Italy on the part Of the Central En-
pires can be an effective substitute for
an offensive against Russia.
It is still thought quite possible that
Germany may yet attempt before mid
summer 10 drive through along Ma
poleons old route by Smolensk toward
Moscow. II is known that intrigues
are still active to drag Sweden into the
war for the purposes Of simultaneous
attack in the north.