New-York tribune., 1916-01-23

The enemy pleads that paper and rose
water are, by comparison, only fair
weapons at sea.
Blockade Vital to France.
Now, whether France is TO recover
Alsace and Lorraine or whether her
national dream Is TO be defeated after
all her glorious efforts and sacrifices
will vitally depend on the British
blockade Of Germany. That, I may
venture 20 point out. IL an essential
interest Of France in the issues pressed
by President Wilson's note now under
discussion.
Germany hopes now. among other
things, that her original aim OF dis.
abling and dispiriting France forever
will be partly realized by the indirect
effect Of American action. Our friends
in Paris believe the Allies sea power
has been weakened very seriously by
the desire Of Sir Edward Grey and the
British Foreign Office TO conciliate
Washington.
There Is a strong element here that
denounces our proceedings as half meas
ures and urges Mr.. Asquith's govern
ment to make the British navy an eff
cient instrument against the ruthless
and remorseless methods Of the Ger
many army on land. This is the prob.
lem which In the last few weeks has
sometimes seemed about as hard as
squaring the circle, but all that frank
ness and good will can do on this side
will be done 20 bring about sound and
workable solution. IL is TO be especial
! " noted that Premier BRAND Is accom-
panied here by Admiral Lacaze, French
Minister Of Marine.
While the German armies are actual
ly occupying Belgium and are en-
camped across the fairest provinces OF
France, how can the Allies loosen their
sea grip on the enemy or refrain from
tightening il? The military problems
/ though vast and complicated. are in q
sense easier than those OF the sea. The
Allies have not only 10 consider a
stronger system of European strategy
| but TO see whether after the expert
ence Of last year they cannot devise
a new and more efficient system OF
tactics.
In each great Franco-British assault
in the west last year we bit more
deeply than before into the German
/ lines. 1t Is question whether the
/ Allies, attempting less. would not have
! done more By driving at the enemy's
first position on n far wider front, in
stead Of trying at one stroke 10 push
clean through his lines on narrow
sector. This method is more difficult
tor the enemy to deal with as the Allies
accumulate superiority Of guns.
We may expect great experiments IN
the west when the Russian and Franco
( British masses move together. II
everything expected from the double
/ offensive on the main fronts is not
/ achieved, the resort 10 concentrated &C
/ tion through the Balkans would re-
main.
In Montenegro, Goliath, after
eighteen months, has knocked out Tom
Thumb. But even King Nicholas, after
p seeming fall below the example OF
King Albert and King Peter, has IN the
end refused degrading capltulatlon
( On the other hand. the Huns ana
Rulgars seem more inclined to recos'
nize the Salonica enclsve as impreg.
nable. II the enemy shirks an hssaul,
] and leaves the Allies in unquestioneo
I possession. General Sarrail Will have
won a silent and brilliant victory-one
which. in view OF all the future prooa'
/ hilities in the Balkans, will be OF far-
reaching effect.
Even the Reichstag and pubic opih,
/ ion In Germany, as we know beyoho
doubt, are beginning TO realize that ~
| is one thing 20 take trick ana All
other TO win the game.