Arizona republican., 1916-08-03
Claims of the BeIliqerents

There is something pitiful in the
forced expressions of confidence which
the governments of the warning Euro
pean countries are giving out at the
beginning of the third year Of the great
conflict We have this from the war
summary of Tuesday:
LONDON, Aug. 1.-The second an
niversary of Germanys declaration of
war on Russia finds the relative po-
sitions of the belligerents very differ
ent from those Of the first anniver-
sary. The entente allies now are
pursuing a successful offensive on all
fronts and the central powers are
nearly everywhere on the defensive.
Emperor William celebrated the
occasion by the issue of proclama-
tions to his army and navy and peo-
pie. which breathed a spirit of con-
tinuous confidence In ultimate victory
for Germany.
We cannot believe that the German
emperor sees even remotely a prospect
OF ultimate victory. At the best the
position of the Teutonic powers could
only be impregnable. They cannot
break the circle Of iron which sur
rounds them. They may drive the Rus
slams back as they have done before
and superior German technique may
make gains on the west front, but ulti-
mate victory is impossible. Nor. do
we believe that the circle of iron is
strong enough to cursh the Teutons
1t would itself be broken in the neces-
sary process of contraction.
Equally untrue is the allied state
ment that the relative position of the
belligerents is more favorable to the
allies than it was at the beginning OF
the second year of the war 1t is true
that there are allied offensives or
practically all fronts but they are puny
offensives in comparison with tn,
great task before them. The British
French offensive is on a front Of onl,
about seventeen miles and it has pene
! trated only to a depth of about two an,
a half miles, gained in the first dash o
two weeks ago since when it has bee
pretty steadily held. At that point, tn
German line is about 300 miles beyon
German territory.
The more spectacular Russian of
fensive, long in progress, has regaine
only small part, a mere slice of tn
vast territory wrested from Russia la.
summer. The Italian offensive has M
yet recovered the ground taken by II
= Austrian rush of last spring.
AS to territory occupied, the Tel
tonic allies are in a much better pos
, ton than they were on August
last year. Since then they have con
pleted the conquest of the northwes
ern Russian provinces which they a
now administering as their own. Tn,
, had then taken but a small part
h Poland which they have since occupi
:. with vast Russian territory beyo,
it.
!, They have swept the allies from 4
n Gallipoli peninsula and now hold fir
:, ly Serbia and Montenegro and ha
been reinforced by the entrance of Bl
n garia into the war on their side.
n the southwestern front they Occupy
10 the aggregate a little more territory
= the Vosges and along the Mouse tn
: they did year ago.
II That the allies are better prepar
,s Tor war than they were on August
o 1915 is evident and that they will ma
n a better showing this year than III
s. did the second year OF the war is yt
or probable. But there is nothing in
ID general situation to afford either s
ef cause for jubilation over a prospect
Sc crushing the enemy in the third y,
in or any other year.
o. We rather think that before the 9
ay OF this year the hopelessness of 81
task will become so apparent and
e. waste of human blood and Of treas,
he so appalling that peace even If O
o. temporary, will be reached.