The Washington herald., 1917-07-29
NJ RICHMOND p. HopsoN


Won Hindenburg has lost his op-
portunity OF an overwhelming Of
fensive on the western front to
crush France and gain the decision
this yea2 before Americas full
power can be placed In the balance.
II the supplies of the Russian
armies, especially In munitions, are
exhausted or seriously depleted
early in this season. as they were
In the seasons OF 1915 and 1915,
then, II Won Hindenburg so desires,
he can probably make q successful
drive on Petrograd or on Odessa
later In the season, or on both, while
still holding the British and French
In check on the western front.
With Russia still q power In the
war, the great fact would be that
Germany, failing to act on the
western front in the last sixty days
during the period of Russian weak
ness. has lost her one remaining
opportunity to win the decision in
France. However successful the
Teutons may be In Russia, they
cannot win the decision there.
II the Russian armies maintain
strong activity for only a short time
longer. Germany and her allies must
AOHUs ~ AnbuEe Ihlb continuance
OF Russian strength and morale, the
allies should quickly take the Of
fensive on the western front and
Italian front. Heretofore, delays
were incurred by the allies In in
augurating offensives to relieve
pressure on opposite fronts. Let no
such delay be now repeated.
More UprisInss FOreseen.
1t would be dangerous to allow the
full power Of the Teuton forces to
strike the Russian armies IL NUM-
tions run short and Russian soldiers
are subjected to cruel disadvantages
OF previous seasons.
The political upheaval in Germany
has been the cause of the delay or
abandonment OF the plan to attempt
to crush France this season. The
cause Of this upheayal Is no doubt
largely due to the modification of the
purposes and aims of the allies, as
given in recent utterances of Premier
Lloyd George, especially the abandon
ment OF the purpose to dismember
the Teuton Powers.
As the Teuton citizenship comes
more to realize that they are not
fighting for home and native land,
they they are not fighting for their
lives, but fighting in the interests OF
medieval autocracy, the Liberal for
ces, democracy and socialism, will more
and more rise UP in Germany and
Austria to divide the enemy's strength
at home and weaken his power at the
front. 1t is to be hoped that these
causes of internal discord may con-
tlnue to operate without intermissIon
in Germany. but We must not over
estimate the war significance Of the
political upheaval.
The appointment OF a commoner Ia
the chancellorship is a long step to.
ward establishing parliamentary
ministry responsible to the people, but
1t must be noted that DR.. Michaelis,
the new chancellor is a Conservative,
II not a Reactionary. This is in ac-
cord with political science. It may
be some time before any further pro-
gressive step may be necessary, and n
would be imprudent to count upon any
military weakening Of the enemy.
II Germany does not soon attempt
a great drive on the Western front
for a decision this season. the logical
inference is that as a matter OF ground
policy, the Teutons have definitely de-
cided to abandon seeking to win a
decision at all. and VIII only aim for
] a draw, or a war without victory"