The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-07-27
UNITED STATES FACES
SERIOUS SITUATION
This Country May Within the
Year Find Itself Fighting For
Its Very Existence Against the
kultur-Mad Teutons, Is Opinion
Expressed At National Capital
ASSOCIATED Press by q. s. Naval Com
munication Service)

w ASHINGT0N, July 20 -
w All hope thai this war, in
which the United States has Join
ed to rid the world of the Hun
monster, will be a short and easy
one has been dissipated by the
apparent collapse of the Russian
armies under the influence Of ig-
norance and the pro-German pro
paganda of the alleged socialist
leaders and the extremists,
Such is the firm conviction of
the officials Of the government
here today, following the receipt
Of details OF the fighting upon the
eastern battle front, and reports
Of the situation throughout the
great Slav republic.
Army officers at the war de-
partment last night admitted that
the breakup of the Russian often
sive and the collapse Of the morale
Of the troops will undoubtedly
have most tremendous effect up
on the conduct of the war for
many months to come, if not for
years. The failure of the Slav
regiments to hold their ground,
even when not subjected to Hun
pressure, shows, it was asserted,
that the disappearance of all dis.
cipline is having its disastrous
effect, and that Russia as a factor
in the Great War has ceased to be.
The first effect of this collapse,
it was declared last night, will be
to release for service on the west
efn fronts hundreds OF thousands
OF German troops, who have been
held in the east for attack and de-
Tense against the Russians. This
means that the strain upon the
British and French armies will be
proportionately increased, and
will completely change the situa-
ton there, where, just a few days
ago, Won Hindenburg announced
he was unable to carry out a
great offensive because of lack
OF sufficient men to enable him to
meet the heavy price which such
an offensive would entail. n
MENACE TO AMERICA
In the war department there is
a profound feeling that this brings
the United States face to face with
the most serious situation this
country has faced since the out
break of the Civil War. One of
the officials declared that it is
quite within the bounds of pos
sibility that within the year this
country may find herself fighting
for her very national existence,
and that every nerve must be
strained to meet the situation
squarely and fairly. g.. "......'... ~
II was pointed out in military and
naval circles last night, that perhaps
the only way in which decision can
be reached is to roll up the Hun line
from the positions which 1t now holds
ON the British channel ports. This
would break the Kaiser's grip on such
bases as Zeebrugge and Ostend, where
he has been mobilizing his submarines
for their piratical forays against the
shipping of the world. r.. - ~.
Such an offensive, however, would
prove tremendously difficult, and even
II successful would be costly beyond
anything dreamed of even in this war
of blood and millions. Indeed one of,
feer declared that "the price would
be appalling. .s.t. ."I - @'t"
Reports from France last night did
nothing to cheer up the officials here.
The question of transportation is the
one that u outstanding Just at this
time, as upon its successful solution
depends the success Of the best great
offensive against the invader of France
aud the ravisher Of Belgium.