River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-11-15

sustained and for the failure to cope
effectively at all times with the well
organized German military machine.
Until the combined resources of the
allies can be employed against Ger
many by single directing agency, it
is contended, there will continue TO be
waste of human lives and material, re-
verses at weak points and other mis-
fortunes, all serving to postpone a de-
cisive victory over the enemy.
Mr.. Lansing stresses the fact that
the conference is to be a war and not
peace conclave. He does not wish
anyone TO get the impression that the
United States is thinking of peace
while preparing to exert its Utmost to
defeat Germany on the field C battle.
The secretary's anxiety on this score
is due to the speculation aroused by
the announcement before American
troops reached the firing line that Col
Onel House had been selected to pre-
pare for the peace conference. Imme-
diately reports gained circulation that
President Wilson was expecting peace
this winter and that he dill rot intend
to send the American troops into &C.
ton until all hope of a suspension OF
hostilities had disappeared.
The need of better coordination of
military activities on the part of the
allies has been practically demonstrate
ed by the Italian reverses, 1t Is point
ed out. Italy was clamoring for sup
port for months. The cry was not
needed by England and the United
States.
Secretary Lansing's Statement.
Secretary Lansing's statement re
garding the conference is as follows:
"The government of the United
States will participate in the approach
ing conference of the powers waging
war against the German empire.
1.-THE conference is essentially "wal
conference" with the object of per.
fecting a more complete coordination
Of the activities of the various nations
engaged in the conflict and a more
comprehensive understanding of theil
respective needs in order that the joint
efforts of the co-belligerents may at
tain the highest war efficiency.
''While a definite program has not
been adopted, it may be assumed that
the subjects to be discussed will en-
brace not only those pertaining to mil
itary and naval operations but also the
financial, commercial, economic, and
of no f1nY
which are of vital Importance to the
successful prosecution of the war.
''There undoubtedly will be an eff,
fort to avoid any conflict of interests
among the participants, and there Is
every reason to believe that the result
will be a fuller cooperation, and con-
sequently a much higher efficiency and
a more vigorous prosecution of the
war.
''The United States, in the employ.
ment of it's man power and material
resources, desires to use them to the
greatest advantage against Germany
It has been no easy problem to deter
mine how they can be used most effec-
lively, since the independent presenta'
ton of requirements by the allied gov
ernments have been more or less con.
flicting on account OF each govern
ment's appreciation Of it's own wants
which are naturally given greater inn
portance than the wants OF other gov
ernments.
"By a general survey of the whole
situation and a free discussion OF the
needs Of all, the approaching confer.
ence will undoubtedly be able to give
to the. demands of the several govern
ments their true perspective and prop
er place in the general plan for the
conduct of the war.
Limit to Resources.
ssThough the resources of this coun.
try are vast and though there is ev-
ery purpose to devote them all, II need
be to winning the war, they are not
without limit. But even if they were
greater they should be used to the high
est advantage in attaining the supreme
object for which we are fighting. This
can only be done by full and frank
discussion Of the plans and needs OF
the various belligerents.
s'It is the earnest wish of this gov
eminent to employ its military and
naval forces and its resources and en-
ergies where they will give the great
est returns in advancing the common
cause. The exchange of views which
will take place at the conference and
the conclusions which will be reached
will be of the highest value in prevent
ing waste Of energy and In bringing
into harmony the activities of the ma
tons which have been unavoidably act
ing in a measure Independently.
I'm looking forward to the assem-
bling of this conference it cannot be
too strongly emphasized that It is a
war conference and nothing else, de-
voted to devising ways and means to
intensity the efforts Of the belligerents
against Germany by complete cooper
alton under a general plan and thus
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