New-York tribune., 1917-07-30
Nation Weary of War, but
Won't Listen to Anti
Fight Agitators
Depression Is General
Russian Debacie, Failure of
Allied Offensive, Increased
Expense Are Factors
BY F. A. WRAI
IRY CAhle 70 Tne Thbunel

London, July Bone of the most
aanressing weeks of the war has ended
on the fact that war weariness does
not necessarily coincide with desire
for peace.
This was illustrated yesterday after
,oon. when two carefully organized
rssee meetings, one at Newcastle and
tho other in London, were broken up
nv big crowds of soldiers and civilians
women predominating among the lat
ter-while the demonstrators barely
ESCAPED with their lives.
Following Thursdays debate in the
Commons, when the pacifists were able
"a muster only nineteen votes, it en-
phasizes the argument that the pac-
fists Of this country are at least nu-
merically a negligible force.
Reasons for Depression
Several factors contributed to the
somewhat disheartened feeling of the
country in the last few days, some
arising abroad and others purely do
nestle. Among the former the Rus
sian debacle naturally takes first place.
For months past the British public has
been feeding itself on stories OF the
rssuscitation of the Russian army and
the enormous quantities Of munitions
Russia now possessed. The revolution
was believed to have removed both
traitors and incompetents; consequent
". great hopes were built that sooner
or later the might of Russia would re-
assert itself and insure an increase OF
the Allies triumph.
Now all such expectations have fallen
at one blow, with the result that there
is a countrywide feelings that, except
for American aid, Britain must fight
the battle single handed. So far as
the war exploits of France are con-
cerned, their extent is Insufhciently
understood in this country, which is
possibly the reason that a feeling is
growing that France is becoming ex-
hausted and wishes to lean on the arm
Of the United States.
Awaited Tremendous Blow
Then. again, the German offensive on
both the California Plateau and in
Flanders has sadly disheartened many
people, who nourished the belief that
the Germans might now be capable
onlv of a defensive effort. To this
section the best military opinion that
the German attacks reveal nervousness
in the present situation is almost IN
comprehensive.
Above all, in the past months there
was a confident anticipation through
out the country that a British often
sive, putting a seal on the great deeds
of Vimy and Messines, was likely to
arise at any moment and deal one
smashing blow at the German power
in the West. The fact that it has not
yet materialized has been a severe
blow for many.
These considerations are all interde-
pendent, but, striking individuals from
many diverse angles, have had the
cumulative effect Of casting a great
shadow over the hearts OF the people,
so far as the military aims are con-
cerned.
The Parliamentary proceedings have
been no cause of cheerfulness. Al
though the government got a big ma
iority on the corn productions bill, de-
feating the vital amendment raising the
minimum wages Of farm laborers from
25 10 80 shillings, yet they did so at
the cost of creating profound disap-
pOlntment among a class upon whom
Great Britain is bound to rely if il is
going to be self-supportlng IN the next
few years. The finance statement is
again demonstrating that the daily war
expenditures are continuously on the