New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-13
Heavy Blow by Brusilof
Would Make Allies Task
in France Easier
Haig Needs More Men
Although Badly Jared and
Crippled, Hindenburg Is
Full of Fight
BY ARTHUR 6. DRAPER
lBy cable to The Tnbunol

London. May 12.-Russia's turmoil -
having a profound influence upon the
course Of the war il is affecting the
military decisions Of all the belliger-
ents and consequently their political
manouvres
II Brusloff could now HIT another
sledge hammer blow such as that OF
last year it would make the Job OF
Haio and Petain infinitely easier. II
the Russians could repeat the Grand
Dukes early success in the Caucasus
the Turks would not now be making
stand in Mesopotamia and Palestine.
II Austria were facing invasion from
the east Italy would not be standing
still.
II Russia showed signs Of complete
unity, then Austria, Turkey and Bull
garia would be chanting peace chorus.
II Russia could pull herself together
and get started, the end of the war
with a clean-cut victory for the Allies
would probably be in sight Several
things have brought about the present
change, but the greatest of all Is the
Russian internal situation and the sub
marine campaign.
As it is. the British press to-day
contains the War Office decision 10
accent volunteers up 10 nifty years OF
age. This is merely repetition OF
the Lord Derby scheme. which was the
forerunner Of coKpulsion. This week
Lieutenant Colonel Repington, the able
military critic Of The Times wrote:
There are no conclusive military
reasons why the war should soon end.
Earl Curzon has announced that
100000 additional men are needed 10
produce the 100000 tons OF merchant
shipping which Great Britain plans 10
build this year. George Lambert
former Civil Lord Of the Admiralty, mas
said that there are 100000 fewer acres
under cultivation in England than IN
1915.
The Situation in France
II takes no expert 10 see that the
mighty struggle in France, where the
British have accomplished marTels ana
the French have won new honors. rs
still far from decided. General Haig
mas worked miracles, but he has not
vet beaten Hindenburg. He has Joltec,
Jared and crippled him, but the Ger
man leader is still full Of fight.
What is needed in this war is frank
ness and the ability TO see straight.
A Russian who knows exactly what IS
going on in his country assures me
that there is no possibility OF RUSSIA
making separate peace. Following
the revolution there came a perod OF
DISCRIMINATION which was only the
natural consequence of the removal OF
generals. the election of officers by the
ranks. and the abolition OF any dis
ciplnnry measures.
In the navy, as well, there was re-
action. For eight months the Russian
navy is frozen in and the sailors have
A long time TO think. In these troub-
lous and unsettled times undirected
thinking does not make for fighting
efficiency.
Russia's struggle for a democratic
government is the brightest spot OF
the war, but unfortunately it has not
helped to make Russia fighting ma
chine which should be hammerlng
Germany and Austria in the east.
What is really happening now IS a
reorganization OF the Allies. Their
leaders have taken stock and found
this lob more difficult than they antici-
pated.
Haig Needs More Men
Germany has brought to the West
ern front many divisions from thea
tres where they should now be active
~ engaged. Colonel Repington voices
the military opinion. He views the
war through a soldiers eyes, not
those of a statesman who has to con-
slider economic and financial questions
as we'll as those of military nature.
He does not consider how much fnsn-
cial assistance Great Britain must
lend 20 France, Italy and Russia or
the amount OF munitions she must
send 10 Russia or where she is going
TO get food 10 feed her people. All
he is concerned with is that Haig
shall have enough men, guns and shell
10 WIN the decision. And when he
says that the end is not yet in sight
il means that Haig must have more
soldiers and more guns to succeed.