Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-15
n, JAca,Es p.uuvILuE.
I CuDrrirht. 1871. ny IN" TnterhA'IuH'
News Service.

News Service.
More than thirty months haN" pass
cd since Germany. seized by m"Scto-
mania. began her Formidable machin"
of war 4; the moment chosen by tho
ran-Ccrnanis,s Tho lever WAS pulled,
setting in motion against a distressed
world tho lncnstrcus wheels "i their
informal organizations.
In spite Of partial successes and the
occupation OF important territory, not
withstauding the pcriidtcS, terrorism
and na,nelsss acts Of harbarity pcrpe-
,rated bv hcr Germany * at the point
Of death. She feels. passing over her,
the. wind Of an irrcmediahie defeat;
her days arc numbered
Like the hcsgared gambler who
stakes his last hank mote, she risks
to-day her ultimate tatc. she is at
the summit az despair, as is proved ny
her recent challenge 10 international
law, and all humanity Little she heeds
the increasing murmurs and hatred
that she cNCkrs or the new enemies
who arrive before her. she must find
the means OF lhcratins herself AT All
costs. she believes she has found u
III the subniar iuc campaign and clinGs
TO IL as a drowning man to a straw.
The German people. depressed rs
they arc. educated as they are mt"
= pride hardly short OF hysieria and
filled co the very marrow with tradi-
,ions of tho drill sergeant--tho recent
crushing defeat Of the I.icbkcuirht
group at rotsdam Sutli""s to show it
SIN know how to stand erect. emerge
tic and rcsolu;c. il before their eyes is
fla shed the observation-disclosures in
completc-or the abortivc pan-Gcr-
manis, dream.
"ENGIAND Is RESPONSIBLE
For ALI. SUFFERING"
To prevent them from perccivinC the
pF hni ,.tla ii w,
their gaze from that western front
where their fate will he decided, they
strive 10 hate against England. II is
she who is the author OF all their Suf-
ferings. II is she, who. 10 satisfy her
ferocious rgotism. hampers the pros
nerity OF the fatherland and sets her
self deliberately TO paralyHe the world
growth OF greater Gcrnanny.
That is why the system of unlimited
torpedo warfare. represented TO the
masses as an infalliblc means OF COM
rellins capituiation i'll few months
has been enthusiastically welcomed
throughout the empire. into this en-
ihusiasm. perhaps, also enters tho hope
OF early peace and an ending OF mis-
cry and mourning.
Nothing hut an important military
reverse. accompanied by 4 rsSouudinG
naval defeat or n clearly demons trat-
cd check TO the submarine campaign,
can provoke in Germany reaction
similar to that which has So suddenly
transformed Russia,
The German people. enlightened since
Nerdun as to the value Of official bull
letinS. will take little interest in tho
military operations until the day when
their own territory falls under y
threat. Official bulletins have runE
the JOY bells so of'..n al the extensive
Withdrawal on the Sommc and in the
region OF the Oisc. Bapaume Pcronne.
Noyon and Lassguy. captured by the
enemy. these things arc but strategic
necessities demanded by u shortening
Of the front.
In brief. then. though Germany is
hungry and driven 10 cXD-dicntS. she
IL not inclined far from ito bow 10
The inevitable and TO suffer The rondi-
lions of peace she had dreamed ot
imposing Her agony may sim Re ac-
"onipa nied by dangerous commissions
but neither ".pcrsy and rersevcranc.
nor rer raleft for, reorganization can
save her frhin the final debacle Her
iot is already east. nr' until q military
decision h-s crushed German pride the
wa- viii 70 on.