Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-08-03
GERMANY
BY J. W. u. MASON
OTrltten for the United Press.)

NEW YORK August 3.-Ger-
manv's military situation at the close
81 the third year Of the war is being
shaped 20 meet the new offensive OF
American troops on the western
front next spring. The Kaiser must
henceforth fght a defensive battle be-
cause OF Americas entrance into the
war. and he must husband HIS SOL
diers for use against Americas new
cilizen armies.
No seriously designed offensive that
would risk bringing large casualty
losses TO the Germans can honceforth
be attempted by the Kaiser except at
great peril TO his lines when the
main forces Of the United States be-
en 10 hammer at the Western front.
Germany must save her soldiers to
meet the American assault II there
Is to be any possible hope OF the Ger
mans retaining part of their hold on
Belgium and Northern France for
Trading purposes in the peace con
ference.
This is the reason why during the
third year OF the war. the German
general stan has feared to attempt
3 serious offensive against the armies
Of the new Russian democracy, weak
ened by discussions and threatened
with mutinies. The Germans might
have broken through the Riga front
and perhaps captured Petrograd last
spring, but the attempt would have
been a very costly one. and Petrograd
In the hands of the Kaiser would not
bring to life the dead German soldiers
when the American troops start
pressing the Teutons toward the
Rhine.
The revolution in Russia occurred
between the breaking Of German
American diplomatic relations aud
the declaation OF war by the United
States upon Germany. The risk,
therefore. OF moving deeper into Rus
sia was too great to be undertaken.
The Offensive which the Germans be-
fan TO develop in eastern Gslicia Mt
the close OF the third year of the war
cannot be pressed far unless the RUS
iian troops show complete demorali-
kation and practically invite the Ger
mans TO move forward. Any serious
resistance by the Russians will quick
~ bring the Germans to halt their
troops must no saved for the western
front against tho time when America
ltarts what viii be the final offensive
81 the war.
The third year OF the conflict saw
. pheaomenal German success In Ru-
mania The first retreat Of the leu
ions IN Transylvania. followed by the
Overwhelming Victories against the
too-conndcnt Rumanians formed a
series OF campaigns that could have
been conducted only by military COM
manders OF large skAl-and daring.
Nevertheless, the German victories In
Rumnnia Will eventually prove TO be
pne OF tho reasons for the undolng OF
German mil'tarism. Rumanla's COM
plete collapse was the direct cause Of
The Russian revolution. If the Ru-
manian armies had been victorious
bud had retained their FIRST hold on
Pennsylvania and had penetrated into
Hungary, the Cars prestige would
have been increased and Czarism
would not have been overthrown.
Hence. the ultimate cause OF demOc-
iacy was better served when the Ru-
nanian armies were annihfated than
h the Rumanians had won victories
~. the glory OF the Gar. The pro.
,O1hd influence which tho success oil
4rmOcracy in Russia is 'aping on the
democratic movement I'm Germany
therefore, means that Germany s great
military success OF the third year OF
lhe war will assist the allies in the