Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-02
THE GREAT DRIVE

TNHE great drive has opened and civilized
men everywhere have their hearts and
minds fixed on the supreme attempt Of
the Allies to break through in the north
and fight their way to tho submarine
bases of the Germans. In operations on
so vast a scale, in which tens Of thou.
sands of guns and millions Of men are
directly or indirectly engaged. 1t is fool
ish to attempt to analyze the situation
until It has developed to later stage.
This, indeed. is a battle which may take
weeks for decision, If not months. and
In It a day is a mere incident. 1t is in
spring to know, nevertheless. that the
nrst detectives were everywhere attained.
It would be a tremendous error. how
ever, for Americans to curtail in the
slightest their preparations. Even if the
entire north coast of Belgium were re-
date end of the war. There is no sue
cess that can be won this summer which
would absolutely assure peace. We can
not rely on the collapse of German spirit
or revolution within the Central Empires.
We must be ready to carry on the fight
until militarism itself has been uprooted,
until 1t is proved forever that the system
of ruthless aggression connoted by mill
tarism is at variance with the whole
spirit Of civilization has no place in the
world and will be stricken down when
ever or wherever it shows its face. A
great success for the Allies should mean
for us only sterner preparation, more
vigorous and more ample, in order that
our resources may be brought to play at
the psychological moment to make vic
tory absolutely decisive. We must be
prepared too, for failure of the present
drive, for the task assumed is stu
pendous one.
The assumption that Russian reverses
meant a new period of German victories
was never entirely justified. There are
many experts who believe that the recent
rout was the one thing needed to cement
the Russian people and Danish forever
from their minds the lingering hope Of a
separate or other sort OF peace. 1t has
been proved in the most dramatic and
terrifying manner that Kaiserism and
Czarism are one and the same thing; that
tho only hope for the success of the
revolution lies in the successful defense
Of Russian territory against the invader,
and the defeat, complete and permanent,
Of the Kaiser. There is evidence of
q new spirit and a new discipline in the
Russian ranks. which may very read
ny increase. and It is certain that Ber-
LIN cannot afford even now to with
draw troops In great numbers from that
frontier. Russia, in the circumstances,
Is doing a great work II she manages to
keep huge armies lined up against her.
II she does that, the other Allies can do
the rest.
A most important factor In the situa-
ton is the embargo. The food which
used to go in vast volume through neu-
trail countries to Germany is now cut
on. Evidences accumulate that the Tell-
tons consider this vital blow, aimed at
the very heart of militarism, and worth,
perhaps, a dozen army corps to their
enemies. The German people are not
going to endure empty bellies very long.
Heroism and bravery alike wait on
starvation, belligerent that is never
defeated.
II Haig does nothing more than drive
American pessimists out of their holes
he win perform great task. We need
to get into the war with our hearts and
souls. with smiles on our faces and a
cheerful confidence in the triumph OF
liberal forces. Such confidence we must
Justify by the efficiency of our own par
ucipation-