The Benson signal., 1917-06-09
Whole Campaign Against the
Teutons Hinges on Ac-
ton of America.
WHAT ALLIES EXPECT OF US
Look to This Country for Men, Money
and SuppIies-Renewed Activity
in East Hope of Generals in
West.
BY ARTHUR S. DRAPER.
On the New York Tribune)

LOndon.-America now holds the pi-
votal position in the war. This fact
will become more strikingly apparent
in the next few months.
America today is like football play
er called into the game late in. the Sec
ond half, when the rival teams, bat
tered and tired, are still struggling
desperately, but are practically dead
locked. The European allies feel that
they are near enough to the German
goal for America to boot the ball over
the crossbar.
America does not yet appreciate how
much dependence the allies are plac-
ing on her, nor the difficulties ahead.
Henceforth the whole campaign of the
grand allies will revOlve around Amer
ica-and Russia. But the Russian
leaders today are frank to admit that
for the present at least Russia will fol-
low the sympathetic lead of republican
America.
What Allies Expect.
France is looking to America to give
her assistance in the line of battle and
to support her financially. Italy looks
for money. Serbia hopes to get Slavs
from America to re-enfOrce her battered
army. Belgium asks little, but will be
devoutly grateful for anything. Eng
land, strong and confident, is overjoyed
with what her new partner already has
done.
America can and will soon become
the dominating factor of the war. She
is fresh; her resources are unlimited /;
she has definite policy. Whether or
not America wants the limelight, it will
be thrust upon her.
She can become the leader of the
world or the scapegOat of the grand
alliance. 1t is for her to choose, but
upon what she does in the next few
months will depend her position in the
world for generations.
Some weeks ago Premier Lloyd
George appealed to America for 'ships,
ships, Ships" Now his appeal, if he
dared speak frankly, would be for
speed 1t is all very we'll to talk Of
beating Germany in 1918 or 1919, but
it leaves people cold. The European
statesmen know that the people will
no longer be satisfied with anything
but hard facts. Within the central
powers unrest has been bottled up for
so long that it is becoming more dar-
ing, and even the Prussian government
fears revolution. The Lloyd George
government has no smooth path ahead
of it. In every belligerent' the same
feeling exists.
That is why it is essential for Amer
lea to make speed.
Still Determined to Win.
1 must make it perfectly clear that
there is no weakening of the determin-
alton of the allies no desire for peace
without victory" But there is real
dependence on America to assist in OBJ
tanning a peace which, in the words
of General SHUTS, would establish "se-
curity in the future for all peoples,
large or small.
But that peace cannot be secured
without the full and speedy co-opera-
LlOu VI AllCllCus L SLdLC tllIc, uOl OIl
my own authority, but on that of men
who know every detail of the situa-
ton as it exists today. Labor, Ireland,
liquor and food are only few of the
questions which this government must
settle while at the same time it con-
tinues it's pressure on the enemy.
Around the British premier is a
group of men who are stern and un-
compromising-Mil Curzon, Carson
but. they have reached a critical
juncture, and will make or break the
government by their decisions in the
next few weeks.
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