New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-31


for the next six weeks dazzled all the
world save the French portion, which was
engaged in meeting that thrust with SUI
creme skill, courage and, in the end with
nigher generalship.
The chance for victory was gone when
Falkenhayn came, unless the victory could
oe won by relatively minor effort and by
exhausting France and Russia before
Britain was ready. Russia escaped by
retreat; France endured by the magniil-
cont resistance at the Meuse. And if the
Marine was a victory Of generalship, Yer
dun was a triumph Of the soldiers, whose
commanders had, for a moment at least
failed them. But Verdun was an aoso-
1ute failure. After eighteen months Fal-
kenbavn failed at the task set for him
when he took command. He did not sue
coed in disposing of either Russia or
France. and now not only is Britain IN
the field. but Italy has long been fight
ing and Rumania has just enlisted.
If Hindenburg were the supreme genius
the German people believe him to be 1t
would be a good sign, this change in com
mand. But as it stands it is impossible
not TO believe that the change has been
made for political reasons and an IN
ferior commander has replaced an able
strategist who has failed at an impossible
task simply because the change will have
n momentary effect upon the German peo-
ME. whose encouragement can no longer
he doubted. 1t may even be conjectured
that the Kaiser made the change with
Great reluctance. for Falkenhayn is his
protege and his personal selection.
Hindenburg's task is colossal. He has
at once to decide whether he will shorten
his lines. If he does not do this he Will
presently find himself in the same situa-
ton as that Of Napoleon in 1918, when
the Emperor obeyed political rather than
military dictates and kept his army sol
ong in Eastern Germany that 1t was
practically destroyed and he brought back
10 the Rhine a tattered remnant OF that
,nIendid force, supplied in the main byI
he famous graduation Of Marie-Louise,
no bovs Of the class Of 1918, who per-
formed miracles for a failing cause.
But to shorten the lines is to confess
,efeat Rumor has long insisted that Hin
ienburg advocated the withdrawal Of the
German armies behind the Niemen and
he Vistula. Such a retreat would give
Germany strong line in the East and
-elease some corps for service in the
south. but it would mean the surrender
f all the Russian conquests save small
portion of Poland, it would mean a second
.esigning Of all Galicia and Bukovina
EAST Of the Dunajec, and it would mean
he complete destruction of Bethmann-
map of Europe.
Hindenburg can decide to abandon the
Ralkans, but this means the collapse oil
Turkey and the opening Of the Oar
1anelles to Russian munitionment. 1T
means the change in front of Bulgaria; i'll
means the arrival at the Danube of the
Balkan armies Of the Allies and new
peril to Hungary. 1t means the final col.
lapse of the German dream of road tol
the Near East. 1t means closing the iron
circle about the Central Powers, not
merely for the war, but for as long as
men can now see in the future.
Again, there is the option Of retiring in
the West. A retreat to the Meuse or ,oI
the German frontier would release enough
corps to hold the Eastern and the Balkan
conouests for many months. But it would
be the greatest Of all confessions, because
it would be a long retreat in the portion
Of the battle-ground most familiar to the
world. and the effect in France could not
he exaggerated.
If there is no retreat at any point there
will be disaster at one and perhaps at
many points before another year. Ger
many has not inexhaustible resources in
man power. She has modified more men
proportionately and suffered greater pro-
rortionate losses than any one Of her foes.
She has long ago passed the maximum OF
the regular formations which she can
maintain. Her entire resources are taxed
to keep up the number Of corps she has
in the field In the last three months she.
and her Austrian ally have had to find
more than 100000 men to replace losses
Of the fighting.
The real value Of the entrance Of Ru
mania on the Allied side is that it in