The midland journal., 1917-05-11
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.

America is in the war against Ger
many to the finish, according to the
verbal pledge given the British and
French commissioners by President
Wilson and according to the spirit of
determination shown by the govern
ment and the people. And it is high
time, for the entente allies virtually
admit their hopes Of victory are now
founded on the assistance to be given
by the United States.
This dependence upon America has
been brought about mainly by two cir
cumstances-the increasing success Of
Germany's U-boat campaign and the
disorganized state of affairs in Rus
sia.
Cabinet members and others in high
place were at especial pains during
last week to impress upon the Amer
ican people the fact that the war is
not to be won easily or soon. "We
might as well wake up to the fact that
the situation is serious" said Secretary
Lansing. "If we don't fight the war
on the other side," said Secretary
Lane, 1--WE shall have to fight it on
this side of the Atlantic" Secretary
Daniels declared the administration is
concentrating its energies on the prob
lem of defeating the German subma-
rine campaign" the gravest menace Of
this conflict. "It is good to learn, al
80 from Secretary Daniels, that Thom-
as A. Edison is at work with rs as
sistants on electrical and mechanical
devices to aid in the capture and de-
struction of undersea craft.
Most of the German U-boats, it ap-
pears, are built at Kiel and sent out
from that port through Swedish waters.
Great Britain is now trying to per-
suade Sweden to permit her to use these
waters for the purpose of blocking the
exit of the submarines.
Two, three, even five years more Of
warfare is freely predicted by govern.
ment officials, and they are going
ahead with their preparations on that
basis. 1t may well be that the Unit
ed States will have to draft, train and
put in the field greater army than
any that has been raised by any other
country. Every resource of the na-
ton must be brought into action and
every individual will be called on to
help so far as in him lies.
At the present writing the outlook
Is rather gloomy, but it is inconGeiv-
able that, once aroused to the great
task before 1t, America can fail to win
the ultimate victory.
Busy In War Councils.
The British and French war COM
missioners have been exceedingly
busy in Washington helping to plan
the part America is to have in the
war. 1t seems to be agreed that Uncle
Sam shall have virtual control of
the food supplies for the allied
countries. in addition to this we are
expected to furnish much Of the neces-
sary shipping, and start in that line
was made during the week when the
senate passed resolution empower
ing the president to seize at once the
interned German and Austrian boats.
Several of these big vessels were
promptly turned over to the allies.
AS had been predicted, the British
and French commissioners. especially
the latter, made as plain as possible,
without actually advising it, their be-
lief that an American army should be
sent to Europe without delay. both for
the moral effect and because more
men really are needed on the fighting
line. 1t is admitted that intensive
training can be best obtained back Of
the lines, and 1t is wholly probable
that the first troops will go over very