The sun., 1916-11-27

ment and hostility, do we wish, in pull
diplomatic chestnuts out Of the fire
tor the Central Powers to lose whatever
VI eood Will there still Ia for us in Eng
.nno. France n Russia? Is the United
states. In seeking to play the part Of an
lhtermeddler. ready to and itself without
a real friend In he world? Fol one. I
say NO. for II I correctly diagnose the
Ieture. our Government will rave the
future need OF true and loyal friends.
IN premise. upon which this pres
cnt agitation for the pacific Intervention
OF the United States is rested. Is that
ths war will in all probability prove a
oraw and there are doubtless many
americans who believe that the Allies
arc nghttng Tor n just cause, but who are
at inc moment somewhat dubious as to
a successful outcome of the conflict. and
are disposed to support the suggestion
OF Mr.. SchiR n others, that America
should intervene on the grounds OF hu-
mainly. But those OF us who nave been
privileged to visit Europe In recent
months believe. IS I am confident the
statesmen n soldiers Of England and
France themselves sincerely believe. that
this war will not be a draw. and while
my personal opinion Ia Of little value.
yet u In also my confident and de-
liberatc conviction.
Reasons for ConAdence.
Many reasons could be assigned for
his confidence. but the two most patent
reasons are Vcrdun and the Sommc,
There the maximum OF Gcrmany's mill
tary power has for tho last six months
measured strength with the forces OF the
Allies. OF whom 1t can be sale that while
France may possibly v reached Its
maximum Of military efficiency. Russia
and England are only beginning their
tremendous stride toward ultimate VIC
tory.
The battle Of the Marine was only
significant In removing the peril OF an
immediate collapse Of France. but Yer.
dun determined the question whether the
German army could make any further
advance into France. No one can doub'
that Germany put into that EFFORT thu
maximum Of Its power. and no fail
minded man a withhold admiration
for the courage and skill Of the German
army In that titanic assault. Within 81,
months Germany sacrificed 600. 900 n
her electives to batter down the gate
way Of Verdun, and in vain.
"1f this were all. the possibility OF
stalematc might still be accepted. fp
obviously It In easier to defend than Il
NJ ~ SNNh ttEetS
fact that after the frst week Of thu
battle Of the Sommc. Germany. appre
ciatinE the enormous strategic ant
| political Importance of that gigantic OF
f~ensive. brought again the maximum o
, its power to hold back the English ant
French armies. and yet since the first o
July the Allies, greater In men. artiller.
, and equipment. have slowly but continu
| ously forced back their very brave AM
powerful foe.
Temporary triumphs In Rumanii
| cannot affect the tremendous signih
canoe Of the successful defence Of Yer
| dun and the even more successful de
fence on the Somme.
TT may require two years and 1t ma.
require only one year. but notwtthstand
ing the extraordinary n miraculou
efforts OF Germany. for which | have. a
matters OF skill and courage. the pro
foundest admiration. 1t Is reasonabl
probable that the Allies will triumph
even as Grant finally battered down TN
brave and effective soldiers or Lee ai'e
many discouragements.
whether this he 40 or not. and ] d
not pretend to he n military expert. II
n fact that the soldiers and statesmen 9
the Allies have full confidence In the
ability to achieve a conclusive victor!
and for this reason they would resent, q
their leading 'publicists v alread
stated. the Intervention Of a countr
whose Chief Executive In its behalf di'
claimed any interest on the part OF III
United States In the causes or OBJECTS G
tho war"