Evening journal., 1917-11-19
UNIFIED DRIVE
AGAINST Enemies
Military Issue Will be Put
Paramount TO Political
Relations
U. S. TROOPS MAY
HELP ITALIANS

WASHINGTON, Nov. i9.-One Of the
first developments Of the interallied
plan for unified military control prob
ably will be a formal declaration Of
war between the United states and
Austria. Officials here admit that this
may be a necessary preliminary TO the
carrying out Of military plans now
under discussion by NIaior-Gencral
Bliss, CHEZ Of stair Of American Army,
and the Entente military leaders.
Preliminary indications are that
progress already has been made toward
arranging for greater military co-opera-
tion among members Of the anti-Ger-
man coalition. The keynote Of pre-
liminary discussions has been o general
desire to make The military issue sill
perior TO all politicl considerations.
Further effort on the part Of the United
states to maintain peace with Austria
1t Is said, might prove an embarrassing
political obstacle in the path OF future
military conduct OF the war.
Among The military questions which
/ General Bliss Is understood 10 have
discussed IS the extent TO which Amcri-
can troops should be used on the
Italian front in case certain coniin-
geucics arise. II is said az the state
Department that the United states Gov
ernment will not allow relations with
Austria to hinder American cO-Opera-
tiOn in a plan of this kind
Opinion FatOrs War Declaration.
one suggestion is that American
! troops il necessary might be sent TO
] Italy without q formal declaration Of
war between Austria and the United
states, because these troops would be
operating against German troops WHO
have assisted Austrians in the Italian
Invasion. But there is growing opin-
ion against such action without the
accompanying war desclaration.
IL admittedly would place the United
States technically in the position Of
waging actual war against Austria in
violation OF international law. America
can send supplies 10 Italy or loan Italy
money and still keep within the con-
fines Of recognized International pro-
| cedure.
Such action on the part Of the United
states carries with Il the risk Of a war
declaration from Austria, but this risk
President Wilson is ready TO assume.
But the actual despatch Of American
troops to battle against Ausirians is
another matter. it is explained
The effect which an American war
declaration would have on the morale
OF the Italians also is a factor which Of
/ hcials and diplomats believe must be
considered. Entente authorities ara
4 practically unanimous in the belief thai
/ inc time has come for a clean cut def
milton OF the relationship existing be-
tween Austria and the United states.
Another Immediate advantage TO this
government and to the Entente would
be the fate that the well organized Aus
trian spy system in the United states
! would be dealt with in a more effective
manner. Austrians admittedly are tax.
ing up the underground work which
! Germans so skillfully executed. They
are not alien enemies and the law ran
not reach them. Reports received here
show the necessity for some sort of
check on the activities OF these Aus
! trians.
Officials point out that political con-
siderati0ns must be made secondary "a
military questions, and they admit that
/ TIE present status between Austria and
the United states is one OF the embar-
RAISING political considerations which
will be sacrificed to the cause Of mill
tary efficiency
1t is now generally agreed that some
form OF unified military control is tho
chief need for the supreme drive Of the
allies against Germany. The lack OF
this feature is regarded as responsible,
for the following disastrous events il
the Allies campaign:
7 Defeat Of Russia IN 1915.
Failure at Gallipoli.
Overrunning OF Serbia.
Crushing Of Rumana.
Present Italian disaster.