Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-26
Enormous Sacrifices Will
Be Necessary to Drive
Germans From Captured
Belgian Territory.
UNITED STATES STICKS
Determined to See Allies
Triumph; Entire Nation,
Not Army Only, Must
Be Made Ready.

WASHINGTON, July 25.-
Almost complete collapse of
the Russian war machine
means a long, hard war, in
the opinion of Washington of.
ficials. No attempt is made
here to minimize the serious
ness of the situation in the
war theaters in Europe. The
United States is in the war
and will go thru with it; but
any hope Of a short struggle
has gone glimmering.
For the United States the
Russian collapse may have an
immediate and direct bearing.
1t will if the German general
staff presses its advantage, re-
leases additional German forces
to bolster up the western front
where American troops are to
be engaged. The German line
in the west has not been seri-
ously impaired at any point,
officers here believe. They
do not claim to know specifi-
cally the situation all along
the battle front, but they are
unable to see that the British
and French have wrested
from the Germans any key po-
sition of such Importance that
it can be used next year to
hurl the enemy back toward
the Rhine.
1t has been noted in fact that the
one strategic advantage gained in re-
cent fighting was gained by the Ger
mans Many officers here believe
that when a small sector OF the Brit
ish line In Belgium was overwhelmed
and its defenders nearly all captured
or killed the Germans improved the
situation on their weakest, front ma
terially. That view is based on opin-
Ion that the only hope of decisive at
tainments for the allies in the west
lies in rolling up the German right
flank where 1t reaches the sea in Bel
glum.
Would Stamp Out U-Boat Menace.
II that could be done, 1t Is argued
that the U-boat bases could be
stamped out and the only offensive
instrument OF the Germans be elimin-
ated entirely or so seriously impaired
as to make 1t ineffective.
The big question IL whether II
could be done. II will require COM
bined army and navy operations on
that part Of the Belgian coast held
by the Germans for II would he neces-
sary to force a landing behind their
line and force the whole right flank
back from the sea as a result.
May Not BE Worth Price.
The price of victory OF this nature
against the U-boats and German
shore batteries probably would be
appalling and there Is nothing to indi-
'blt ti''i iilt 'libii 10 OtiHs StTlouSiy
considered at present. II cannot be
questioned, however. that many army
men, both in Great Britain and the
United States, favor some such at
tempt to bring the struggle to con-
clusion.
Reports received from France, Oft
cial and unofficial. so far as known
give no cheering picture OF what must
he done. There appears to be no
ha nj
against any force Germany can bring
against II. Even the Russian disaster
does not affect that situation. But
to gather the necessary strength for
a successful offensive will take time
and ample sea transportation facili-
ties II tho United states Is to furnish
the needed surplus OF men, airplanes,
munitions and food.
The transportation problems before
the United States, both ON land and
sea, are constantly increasing In
scope. II seems to be certain now
that whole railroad systems win have
to be set up in France TO give the
American line the flow OF war ma
terials and men 1t must have to press
home an attack.
Must Isolate Qualifications.
There Is an old military rule that
a fortified position cannot be taken
by direct attack. but must be turned
or isolated. Some of the officers here
CONTINIfED ~ pAcE EDIfR