Albuquerque morning journal., 1916-05-31
SHIFTING THE OFFENSIVE.

Gradually but surely, the Germai
offensive IN changing 70 defensive
Notwithstanding the terrific drives II
France and Belgium, which arr
quickly put down, the Germans have
lost the Initiative, although they ma!
continue for long time to indulge
IN local attacks which may seem for
midable and which are undoubtedly
welcomed by the allies In Russia
even the redogbtahle yam Hindcnburl
has been compelled to intrenoh fol
months and defend himself as best
he could.
In the Balkans, there has been no
fighting OF consequence until within
the past few days. Now that the
I'ulGarlans have crossed the Greek
border Il is snfo 70 say that II VIII
not be long before a great struggle
win begin there. The Greeks viii
never permit the Bulgarans to invade
their country The Greek king has
euecceded IN maintaining his grip up-
on the people, 40 far; but the time ev-
Identity Is at hand when he must side
with the allies or lose his throne.
TO assist In holding the Balkans In
line, the allies have converted salon
iki into base for great army. as
wellington organized on the Tagus es-
tnary and finally drove the French,
more than hundred years ago, from
he lberian peninsula,
During the first year ana a halt
the Germans gained ground at a great
rnte: first in Belgium and Frence
then In Poland and Russia, and later
IN overrunning serbia and relieving
the pressure upon Turkey. Now has
come the testing of the ability OF
the Germans to hold the ground they
have gained.
Germany now is talking peace. The
chancellor has given out an interview
recently In which he indicates readi-
ness TO discuss peace terms with the
allies, insisting, however that the dis
eussion shail have nothing whatever
to do With inquiry as TO who brought
the war about. He wants the peace
talk to deal entirely with the future.
leaving II TO the historians to place
such construction upon the past as
they may zee tit,
Great Britain. France, Russia and
italy scout the idea of peace talk at
this time. The czar has again declar-
ed that Russia win entertain no sug-
eestion Of peace SO long as there is
hostile soldier on the soil Of the em- /
pire. France Is much pleased with |
the showing made ut Nerdun, and |
only hopes the crown prince VIII con-
tnue to hurI his forces against the
Frcnch trenches. England. of course.
has no thought OF ending the atrug-
gle until Germany Is humbled The
securing ''unredeemed Italy" as they
were when they entered the struggle.
Moreover Russia sees her chance now
70 secure Constantinople and VIII
make no peace until that dream has
become a reality
The next phase OF the war viii be
the effort Of the allies to push The
Germans 'out OF the conquered lands.
whether they can do this IL d qucs-
ilon, unless, OF course Rumania
should Join IN The struggle, THE
prodigIous efforts In France. made
last fall. failed TO bulge the Germans t,
The Russian attacks against the Ger
nan positions In the Riga district have I,
made no arpreciable gains. Evid
y the Austrians feel dgte able tc
iold their lines in Galicia and nuko-
'ina, or they would not lee making n
trong offensive in italy.
But, month by month. the GER ;
mans and Austrans are growing -
weaker. They have passed the !,
enith. The blockade is telling ,
gainst them with deadly effect. Il
Whereas the allies have before them ;.
tremendous task 10 recover what !,
ernany has conquered, the Ger
lans. on the other hand have nm .,
lcreasingiy difficni problem il, es- ~
lping eventual exhaustion. The war n.
orc and more closely resembles the :.
ar between the north and the south.
Is much greater hut il Is proceed
g on the same lines.