Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-17
The Allies Basis of Confidence.

/ ID the western. he THINKS -laI tEe
Germans will attempt 70 strike a de-
cisiTe blow along the ives. front be-
fore Russia RECEIVERS and gets into the
game again, and before America is
ready TO make use Of her forces. He
thinks that therein lies the only hope
Of Germany now Of winning the war
He says the central powers are ser;-
ton Of their reserves, that they must
strike now and decisivedy. if ever.
Co-incident with the publication Of
this military expert and student Of war
conditions, comes the declaration Of
Premier Lloyd George that in spite Of
dlscouraging appearances since the
serious blow to Italy. the Russian and
R1uanian armis-ice releasing hundreds
, Of thousand Of German troops from the
east front 70 BE hurled al the British
and French forces On the west front,
the allies are making steady progress
toward the goal Of victo-y. He said
or Friday tha, il would be folly to
Underrate the danger. equal folly 70
exaggerate i, and the greatest folly Of
all, not 20 face il. If the Russian
democracy IS determined 70 abandon
the struggle against military autocracy.
the American democracy has taken it
W. ana he added that he agrees with
President Wilson ana does not wish TO
force controversy where none exists.
He made il plain thar the British gov
; eminent j. aware that Gernany's vic
tories are embIazoned 70 the world,
while her troubles are secreted as far
a. possible. but the deadly grip Of the
BT!,kh navy IS having it, effect
IL substance. Premier Lloyd George
agree. with the writer referred to
above, the the governments Of Great
Britain. France and the United States
Germany and Austria and throughout
The territory under their domination,
that is forcing the war masters to
strike with all the force that they can
command at the west front in desper-
ate endeavOr 70 break the lines and the
I nerve If the allies before their own
collapse comes for want of food and
munitions.
Frank Siinonda, perhaps the most
authoritative writer on war topics
known to the people Of America, SAYS
! II the war goes TO a military de-
ciaion, this decision will be had on
the western front. II it goes to a mill
tary decision, the decision will he in
( favor Of the Allies because they have
the numbers, the resources and . the
, control Of the sea But If the decision
be not military, if the moral effect Of
, Germany's successes in Italy or else
where than in France or Belgium
! breaks the Allied nerve then il may be
! that Germany will win the war; and to
such q result the Italian adventure
! would be mighty contribution.
! In review Of the year for the Re
/ view Of Reviews Mr. Simonds says
AT the very least we must expec,
: one more year Of fighting, if there Is &c
| be a military decision. Peace now car
/ only be negotiated peace, in Whici
| both contestants must make conces-
| Aions and can hereafter claim adyan-
| tapeg.
| Yet II one cay@S y look backward
J carefully II seems to me inevitable that
/ the balance Of the year must still be
! 10 the advantage Of the nations Whicf
| are at war with Germany. On Jan
| Lary | Of the current year the problem
Of the Germans were clear. Outnum
bcrtd and engaged in war with ma
I tons possessing greater immediate aud
/ eventual resources, their necessity re-
rlaincd what 1t had been at the out set
! 10 get a decision in advance Of the time
/! when they would begin to lose the ~ai
through attrtion, when they would
lose TO greater numbers and superior
resources"
! Briefly, then. the submarine cam
raigu, so far as 1t is possible to speak
definitely in the fourth week Of Novem
Der 1917. has followed the course Of the
dun. II has failed, and its failure ha.
! thrown the Germans back upon the ole
problem OF the ultimate disadvantage
which was always bound TO be theirs
in war OF attrition against Britain anc
! France. whether these nations were
allied with Russia or with the United
States In 1917 las in two previou.
years. the German bid for victory-thc
concentration Of alt effort and all hop,
On single drive-has failed to affair
It's purpose. France and Britain are nc
nearer TO military disaster than the,
were a year ago. They retain their ad
vantage over the German armies be
for them. and have demonstrated thi,
in a long series OF successes, local ant
relatively minor, but still successe,
measured by ground taken. guns uno
prisoners captured"
The Constitutional An,e ndnsnts