New-York tribune., 1917-06-11
battle-ground to Show That
Business as Usual Slogan
Won't Win War
Entire Strength Of
Nation Is Needed
Germany Counting on VIC
tory Before United States
Wakes Up
BY ARTHUR s. DRAPER

London, June 10 General Pershing
will probably soon see the battle-ground
southeast of Ypres and get frst-hand
knowledge of the colossal preparation
made for this greatest of British mill
tary feats. Before that push started
months of work had been done. Ameri-
can munition work, American ships,
explosives, guns, tools and food sup
piled only a small part compared to
the amount Britain contributed, but
that part would have been considered
gigantic in any other war.
The general can then see what
America mas not yet learned that this
war can only be won by effort that
obsorbs the entire strength of the ma
tion. effort that supplants usual activi-
tics. that cripples ussual trade, that
means a national life far removed from
the "Business as usual slogan that IS
ROW being shouted in the United States.
Two years ago mere still remained
some faded strips pasted on the WIN
dows of English stores making 'he
same announcement, but in the winter
of 1876 they disappeared. no"
much that spirit cost Great Britain IN
men. money and material cannot be
estimated until peace permits observers
TO reflect on the past instead oil con-
sidering only the present and future.
Still Fail to Appreciate Task
The three words show that Americans
s,;ll fau TO appreciate the task ahead
that instead of america Awake the
phrase should be America nan
Awake No nation can fight IN TINS
war and win so long as it has "busi-
ness as Usual" for a slogan.
Lord Northcliffo. who Will soon De ia
America. can tell the nation something
of what has been done here and what
still remains before the JOB Is com
nleted. General Pershing and his stan
wilI learn something of the Allies mill
tarv nosition and the work ahead
Whether the war ends this year py
negotiation or continues far INTO the
rovt in the effort for military de-
cision. Americas work of organization
will be stupendous. To fight with the
"busipess as usual" motto IS ike box
ING with one arm tied, or starting an
offensive without artillery preparation
Great as has been Great Britain 5
success at Baupaume, Arras, and now
at Wytschaete, it is far from COM
nlete success; it is long way from
military decision. II the work oil
Great Britain in months Of preparation
could accomplish this much, the nat
ural question is how long it will take
America with the Business as Usual
motto.
BaIfour Could Answer
Balfour. who has just returned, might
give a fairly accurate answer, for ne
knows the situation on both sides OF
the water. The sooner America real
;zes the size of the job and tackles II
the less she will have to do. The longer
the war lasts the greater will be her
burden. ,..., :..t.o,.;,,,
in Europe to-day and considerable
grandstand playing. The supporters OF
noace bv negotiation believe that the
Stockholm conference will go OIL, II
not on schedule, then on something
closely approximating it. Never in the
var has there been such latitude Tor
freedom of expression both in news
papers and in parliamentary bodies.
Rv one of the American bankers VINO
have lust returned from Berne | am
informed that the Germans are taking
peace this summer, basing thelr views
not on a military victory, out on po-
litical manpuvres. He says the AUS
trians have the greatest confidence IN
and admiration for their young I'm
peror. adding that they think he VIII
play a big part in the peace negotia-
tions. and that shortly fresh oher
will be made. d.
Roth the people of Germany and of
the Dual Monarchy, according 10 my
informant. believe the Allies far weak
or economically than il the case and
think the possibility of peace IS good.
He SAYS that the people Of the Central
Powers believe that much good Will
come out of the Stockholm conference.
From another parsonage, whose sources
Of information are exceptional, / learn
much the same thing He says the
amount of unrest in the Central Pow
ers is unbelievable TO any one acquaint-
ed with the docility OF the people.
But America cannot afford 20 make
plans which do not provide for lighting
a long war. Had Russia hit the blow
expected this spring a military decision
might have been reached this year. but
nothing except miracle can bring that
about now. Russia may still strike, but
it will hardly be with the force conf
IDENTIFY anticipated when the 1917 plans
were formulated.
Churchill n Storm Centre
Locally there is a mild storm CEN
tring around Winston ChurchiY. all the
Tories being leagued against his ap-
pointment 70 the Cabinet. while most
Of the Liberals are willing 20 forget his
mast mistakes and 10 see him working
side by side with Lloyd George. Il
looks now as II the Tories would win,
for the colonials, especially the Aus
tralians and New Zealanders. are op-
posed to him because Of the Gallipoli
fiasco.
Great Britain is without a Food Con-
troller for the moment. the post having
been declined by half a dozen men.
LLOYD George remains strong. because
he has the ability 70 sense public
opinion and 90 shift with II.