The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-27
War Gloom Thicker in England
Than Since Mons Retreat.
q. s. Congressional MIDDLE
Greatly Disappoints British.
CAN'T STOP SUBMARINES?
APPREHENSION of Ship Menace
Growing in Great Britain.
See Only Deadlock ON Front
Unless o. s. Sends Millions.
RY ED l.. KEEN.

Copyright, 1917, by the United Press.'
London, July 81 (passed by CENSOR.
This is not a cheerful message Out
one which it is believed is necessary
that America may know how Eng
lishmen feel during the closing days
of the third year of the war.
If ,s a regrettable fact that never
since the retreat from Mons mas the
gloom been thicker than today in Lon
don's streets, clubs, homes and even
some governmental offices.
The immediate cause, OF course. is
Russia's sudden reversal of form after
a totally unexpected and spectacularly
successful offensive. But, seconoiy'
the suspicion is prevalent that there
has been no appreciative reduction OF
the submarine menace.
Question Good Faith of q. S.
Thirdly, there is disappointment
over Americas slowness in entering
fundamentally into the war, as ex-
emplified by congressional obstruction
to President Wilson's food program.
the shipping board muss and SO forth.
Fourthly, there is the increased cost
of the war and the prospect of higher
taxes.
Filthy, there is a general weari-
ness of war.
One must not suppose that the
whole country is irrevocably plunged
| into pessimism. On the other hand,
it would be equally a mistake to con-
clude that Premier Lloyd Georges
cheerfully optimistic speeches cor
rectly reflect the general popular at
titude.
Plenty of Munitions, But
If only the west front were consider
| ed, there would be no reason for I'M
easiness. Altho England has so far
not erected any wooden statues" to
I iaId 10 no Tot Hac
! done to INTERCHANGEABLE British COM
mander-in-chief holds public conf
| dence even more than the Hindenburg
! of Germany'S, most successful days.
England is thoroly convinced Haig has
taken the Germans measure; that the
enemy is unable seriously to dent the
/ British line even If reinforced by his
| whole eastern army.
On the other hand there are mighty
few Englishmen SO rash as to believe
England will be able materi5 lily to
force back the Germans until millions
OF American Sammies arrive. And
this despite the fact that the British
have never been SO tremendously sup
Piled with munitions as now.
Hope i'm Russia Abandoned.
The hope of effective Russian mil
itary assistance is now practically
abandoned. But this Is not the most
serious feature of the east. There the
prospect of q German victory means
the opening of vast resources of food
IND war materials rendering the
North sea blockade useless and giving
the enemy an economic advantage
even if it is granted that the sub
marine menace can be gradually sub
dued.
But so far there has been no OFF,
cial denial of the German official and
detailed claim of over a million tons
of allied and neutral tonnage sunk
by submarines in June-with several
commanders reports still to be re-
ceived.
Spy Propaganda Rampant.
Regarding American participation,
public enthusiasm has been consider
ably danPened since it has learned
that earlier reports az to the size of
the first American expedition were
! wildly exaggerated and since IL real
ICES the American people do not yet
appreciate the magnitude and the
seriousness Of the task ahead OF them.
Moreover, Britishers point out that
America has done little or nothing to
circumvent German propaganda and
spy activities, which those well in
FORMED here assure everyone is more
extensive. more dangerous than ever.