Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-25
ARCANGONTTlyIJE
EASILY UNTIL 1919
such Is Unanimous Opinion
Of Nine American Officers
Now Back Home
erANDSTILL IN THE WEST
,.sue Will Continue Draw There
Until Maximum Strength of
u. S. Is Exerted
WASHINGTON Inlv Ok


NJ. ~. European war easily can last until
80 THAT is the unanimous opinion of the
~, American observers who returned yes
psav from tour of the western battle
-, These men. all officers of the Cen
srsI staff. made a preliminary report to the
T.r College last night and amplifed it
~ Later they will reduce their obser-
v.,ions to writing and will tell in detail
sst how the war now Is going.
"yybie much of tho materlai the" h"0u~'rt
x.st Is of a confidential nature, 1t is pos
me TO make public the toiiuw,ng Ca
s,rs,ons which these trained observers
drew ,,,-.,-..,
4 ..ber the Entente or the Teutonc Allies
ssve weakened at any point, All along
.hs western battle front from the sea to
shs Swiss frontier both sides are constantly
Increasing their man power.
The British and French offensives re-
v.aled that the German entrenched line
L ~ Hindenburg lne-is well nigh impreg
,shle under existing conditions and the
st,empted offensive of the Germans has
show them that it is impossible to retake
NV of the ground lost to the Anglo-French
sorces Consequently, \each side now Is
L eating and utilizing artillery in the hope
nat some weak spot can be developed.
Roth sides are constantly increasing their
man power, the German answer to the
II lmeriCan dra1t, as mas already Deen pointed
4 Ant In news dispatches, having been to call
mon more than 100000 of her younger
h easses to report>to the colors next March.
The German submarine menace Is still
II very grave 1t must be met If the United
states is to transport an army to the front
and maintain it there, which will be in
keeping with the promises that already
have been made.
American troops are very badly needed
an the battle front. While the lack of
transports has made it seemingly impossi-
Me for the United States to get to exceed
40 900 men on French soil by July /, next
the observers suggested that every effort
be made TO get additional shipping, even
h n II has to be drafted from the Allies so
that this figure can be made 100000.
IA Americas opportunity to shorten the
var. these officers pointed out. lies entirely
n finding a real remedy for the submarine
trouble>and in creating an aerial fleet that
h will be better than any now in use The
A latter proposition is the easiest, 1t was sug-
. rested, as the submarines seem to be able
a "a keep pace with all suggested engines
10 curb them. If the United States is able
10 construct a standardized aeroplane en-
eine of high horsepower, as the experts
Il now believe can be done, 1t will be possible
Il 10 smother the German artillery fire and
/ break through the Hindenburg line But
until such a course is possible, these officers
4 Gy they believe the situation on the west
4 ern front must continue about as it Is with
minor successes Tor one slde OF tne otner
at certain points.
Oficials of the war college also realize
that the Russian situation now must be
considered a real factor. They are in the
dark as to whether Premier kerensky can
1 rally his forces so as to oppose the German
adyance However. there Is no general be-
lief among officers here that Germany plans
..,.la i'm, nf
40 so would take too much of her man pow
4 A.. which is so badly needed on the west
tn front
The various reports carried from Wash
hgton, which tell of enormous drafts or
sOdiers to be sent to the front at once, Is
mwelcomed by the army staff They say
h hat not only does it do damage in making
ht people of the country underestimate
te task ahead of the nation. but that 1t has
4 herfered with bringing the regular army
and the National Guard up to war strength.
4 sYataday's story that the second incre.
4 ment Of the national army was Immediately
Ut be called to the coors was character
he'd as utterly absurd by officers who knew
the facts.
n tits violating no secret to state that there
Il complete shortage of everything needed
10 make an army in this country. The war
department. will have difficulty furnishing
uniforms, blankets, arms, ammunition ana
the like to the National Guard and the nrst
100000 men Of the national army 1t wall
! be next year before it will be possible even
/ to make a start on the problem of outhtting
he second 100000.
The army observers who have brought
Back first-hand information for the General
! etaf were headed by Colonel w. B. Graves
These officers were the guests of the British
! along the western front and were given
eyery opportunity to observe what was
going on. Their reports make no effort 10
minimize the task before the United states
! u the war is to be fought out to a nnlsh
Rptall agree that when this country's maxi
\ dIyfn strength can be exerted on the side o.
Ne Entente, and is coupled with an en-
forcement of the embargo on neutrals whlcn
have been provisioning Germany and sup
1 plying her with war materials, the end oi
the war will begin to come In sight.