New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Ally Viewpoint Contrasts
With That Of Other
3 Christmases
Even the Russians
Still Facing War
Other Allies Girding for
Long Struggle for
Victory
By Frank Getty

LONDON, Dec. %. The fourth
Christmas OF The war IS different from
The three preceding, despite the fact
that the combatants still face each
other on the West front from Nieuport
Bains 10 the mouth of the Piave, across
a No Mans Land for the most part
shrouded in snow.
This has never promised TO be
peace Christmas at least, it has not
for the last six months. Aside from
few optimis.s, no one expected an end
Of hostilitics this year. There has
come about since the last Christmas a
great change in the Allied viewpoint,
IN that the leaders Of the peoples have
stopped speculating on the enemy's
power or weakness and have turned at
tention TO their own.
England, France and Italy are tight
onins their belts and preparing 70 see
through the struggle, now become one
Of sheer endurance.
It is even doubtful if the Russians
win spend very peaceful Christmas,
despite the Bolshevik armistice with
the enemy, FOR, aside from increasing
signs Of grave internal disorders and
the fermentation of another counter
revolution, it is becoming apparent that
the armistice is developing into farce
and the ncgotiators are reported re-
turning home.
Britain's Spirit Still Strong
For her part Great Britain faces the
closing days Of 1917 with undiminished
spirit. Whether purely for propaganda
purposes or through official incapacty
to recognize the actualties, the country
at this time last year was led to be-
lieve that it was only a matter of
few months before the enemy would be
beaten.
The people for the most part conf
IDENTIFY expected that when the ground
dried in the summer the Allies in the
West would sweep the Germans back
within their own borders and dictate
terms Of peace.
This Christmas finds no such delu-
sion anywhere. Government officials,
the people, and most of all the soldiers
now know a long, hard fight is ahead
before a decisive Allied victory IS
reached.
There is Just one eXcuse--the col
lapse Of Russia-but to-day some of
the wiser ones arc beginning 20 realize
that even the presence Of Russia "a an
active lighting force in the East would
not have produced the hoped-for peace
this year.
Now Russia has split the milk, and
it is for the Allies to increase their
efforts accordingly and not be content
with a good excuse for the present un-
satisfactory conditions.
A year ago the talk was all of Ger
many's troubles and weaknesses and
probable collapse. What the enemy's
problems are now no one knows. He
has gained relatively in man power
through the detection of his Eastern
enemy, and his food difficulties are be-
lieved to be actually diminishing
through the application Of Prussisnism
to this phase Of the war.
Materials Scarce in Germany.
Lloyd George declared the enemy's
economic efficiency has decreased 80
per cent. but here again the situation
in the Fast will greatly relieve this
difficulty. Probably Germany's great
est difficulty is the fact that raw ma
terials must certainly, gradually and
steadily be giving OUT.
As fer as nerves go the enemy's are
apparently as good as the Allies. No
longer does any one mere find justi-
fcation for what az one time was the
almost daily hope that the Germans
would crack under the strain. Some,
like LORD Lansdownc, believe she is
ready 20 accept terms OF peace con-
sistent with Allied dignity, but this is
a far different matter.
England's problems are twofold-
food and men, especially food. Baron
Rhondda is taking active steps TO ellie
viate this difficulty, ana the man-power
bill after Christmas will comb out the
industries and may settle the other,
although there is going 10 be trouble
when the latter decision is enforced.
France needs food and coal-her
mau-power is already taxed TO its full
strength and the movement in France
is not toward its increase, but rather
is in the other direction. Besides need
ing food and coal badly, Italy has a
real fight or her hands, and, despite
the recent success in throwing back
the enemy. Christmas finds her, like
Little Red Riding Hood, far from being
out Of the woods.
The only peace message in sight for
this Christmas is due from the enemy
Italy cannot talk peace; she is too
busy lighting. France, with Clenlen-
ceau nj tho helm, will not. From the
German Kaiser may come some real
offer. for ~ is expected he will make
cno I'm his Christmas message TO his
reoplc.