Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-08
Is 1t the Great Offensive?

L ROM the Pripet River southwark to the
1 Roumanian border, Russian armies are
dealing smashing blows against the Austro-
German line. Already. according to official
dispatches from Petfograd the successes won
have been of first importance. The Austro-
German first line has been swept back along
vide front, and the capture of more than
10000 men. with large booty of cannon and
machine guns is announced.
Thus i'll a few days the Russians have
surpassed the successes won by the Austrians
III the Tyro in as many weeks, and have
equaed. so far at least prisoners taken
are concerned the exploits of the Germans
before Verdun in more than three months
Is this the inauguration Of the great allied
offensive. or is it merely n demonstration in
force, intended to relieve the pressure now
being exertcd by the central powers against
Italy and France?
Evidently the Russian forward movement
has been well prepared. There was plenty
of big-gun ammunition and guns enough to
use it with advantage. The prisoners taken
in the swift advance show that ground was
we'll broken for the charging infantry. or else
that General Brussiloff has learned the
lessons Hindenburg taught at the Mazurian
Lakes and caught Austro- German battalions
in the trap of the Pripet marshes Probably
both suggestions correct.
OF course, there is no scarcity of human
material Of which Russia appears to have an
inexhaustible supply. Despite the large
forces operating in the Caucasus and sweep
ing down toward Mesopotamia and douby-
menaced Bal dad, despite the long battle line
that extends to the Baltic and must be strong
~ held, Russia has been able to oppose pre-
ponderance Of men, we'll as of guns, to the
100000 defenders OF the trenches attacked
AS sound strategy dictated. the weakest por-
ton of the Austro-German eastern line was
chosen TO receive the Russian onslaught 1t
was principally Austrian, and unstffened
Austrian troops have rarely held Russia back
in this war Some Of the Austrian crack
corps probably had been dispatched to the
iyro and replaced by newer levies while the
German contingents had been offered as sac
rifces TO French shrapnel on the heights sur
rounding Verdun.
Whether this is the great offensive only
the allied high commands know and only
time and events will announce to a waiting
world. Those who believe 1t is will find
plenty of evidence to support their view.
!hey Will find it in the recent adoption OF
consumption by Great Britain, in the arrival
Of Russian troops to re-enforce France, in
the calmness with which Joffre has been con-
tent 10 wait the issue at Nerdun, without
ambitious counterattacks elsewhere in the
west--even in Lord Kitchener's embarkation
on his fatal mission TO the Gear. They will
find German apprehension Of its imminence
III the dash OF the German fleet into the North
Sea, They Will find assurance in the in
sistence OF public sentiment in Britain and
France that a supreme effort be made to hurI
the invader from the territory he has
occupied.
There is force in these arguments. II does
seem the allies must risk much to regain
morale and inspire confidence. They can
not be always on the defensive in the west
and it is in the west that this war will be
won and lost. II the struggle there shall
reach slalemate, there will be renewed neu-
trail profers OF peace overtures and, In all
Likelihood, neutral resentment against stub
born helligerents who persist in a seemingly
endless sacrifice Of life and treasure
However, there is another side to the Gues-
non. Every offensive undertaken against
strongly fortified line has been tremendously
costly. Some OF the strategists of the allies
are reputcd to hold the opinion that none can
he entirely successful. These are content 10
permit the German eagle to waste its powers
in wild plunges. while the net Of the fowler
draws closer and closer about its wings
They favor the policy Of exhaustion through
economic pressure. They may be right-and
their ccunsels may prevail
Precedent Is most important in the State
Department, and affords Secretary Lansing
much authority for denying that he is going