The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-15
ARMIES NEEDED NOW.
GREAT WAR COUNCIL SAYS
AMERICA MUST SPEED UP.
Pvcsident Wilson Attends First Ex-
tended Session OF War Council.

tributed by Secretary Baker in today's
weekly review OF military operations
60 the massing OF the greatest Teu-
tonic force OF the war on the Wes-
tern front.
1T would not do for US to minimize
its Importance" the secretary warns.
, III means that we must speed up our
military efforts"
This was the situation that con-
frcnted the new super" war council
when II met I'm Mr.. Bakers office late
today for its first extended business
session. The council. including the
nve' cabinet officers composing the
Council Of National Defense, and the
heads Of the war boards and admins
tration was greeted personally by
President Wilson. The president re-
NAMED only a few minutes leaving the
council to sit long in deliberation
over its grave problems
What new plans for speeding up
were laid were not disclosed after the
meeting. The only suggestion was that
there would be increased cooperation
between the government departments
and between these i'm turn and the
war boards that deal directly with
the Industries OF the country.
IL 10 certain that no publicity will
be given to the moves OF the council
except In isolated cases and where
some immediate result In to be gained
In that way. Probably the minutes of
today's and subsequent meetings
would be of more value to the ene-
my than any other information in
the United States for ways and means
or carrying out the part Of The United
states In campaigns planned by the
international board in Paris must
come before the sessions.
Army officers generally appear to
agree with Secretary Bakers inter-
probation of the military situation
There is no inclination to dodge the
fact that German military power has
been strengthened. On the other
hand there Is no sign OF discourage
ment, no faltering in the confidence
Of the ultimate victory that has char
acterixed opinion throughout the Unit.
ed'states from the time war was de-
clared.
TIE united nation must stand
sQuarely behind our soldiers" the Sec
rstary says. 1T is not sufficient to
prepare TO fight: we must prepare to
win"
The review asserts the German
counter offensive on the Cambrai front
has been successful In winning back |
less than one-third of the territory
captured by General Byng. The state.
ment also notes that American en-
sinecr troops exchanging shoveis for |
rifles" fought Oft the enemy, side by
hide with the British.
=. The lesson OF the German exhipi- |
tion OF strength Is then taken up. |
This German parrying thrust. the
most powerful and successful blow
aimed at the British during the past
two and one-half years. coming as 1t
did Immediately after the British VIC
tory In the same area, serves to en-
ohasize the reviving strength Of the
Sefmans I'm the West.
We must recognize plainly that
he situation In the Eastern theater
hss brought about a very decided
change In the strategic possibilities
OF the military situation in the West
Germany. by leaving only skeleton
divisions In the Russian area. by con-
centrating all available guns. muni-
tions and men I'm the theater of opera
uons In the West. has been able to
mass a relatively greater force than
she has ever been able TO mobilize in
France In the past.
This explains the success which
the enemy was able to achieve in
driving the British back from Cam
brRi. II would not do for us to min
iniize It's importance
The enemy realizes that he finds
himself temporarily i'm singularly
fortunate position and he can be
counted upon to take the utmost ad-
vantage OF II.
"For a long time past ne has been
preparing his plans for just an event
usiity as would arise when Russia
should enter upon negotiations for
separate peace. which has been prin-
cipal German objective over since the
battle or Tannenberg. We must ex-
pect that he will put those plans into