Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-26

Washington, July 25.-No attempt ness of the situation in the war thea tres in Europe. The United States Is in the war and will go through with t. but any hope of short struggle has gone gIim1nering with the apparent almost complete collapse of the Rus sian war machine.
 Development Expected.
 The development was not unexpect- Hd by many army officers. When the offensive of July was started by the Russian forces. the most frequent comment heard here was that it was probably the dying kick of the old Russian machine Most observers were frankly skeptical that it could produce any decided result.
 For the Limited States, the Rus sian collapse may have an immediate and direct bearing. It will, if the Ger man general staff presses it's advan- taEe, release additional German fore es to bolster up the western front where American troops are to be en- gagged The German line in the west has not been seriously impaired at any point officers here believe. They are unable to see that the British or French have wrested from the Ger mans any key position of such inn portance that 1t can be used next year 10 hurl back the enemy toward the Rhine.
 Gernany's Advantage.
 + has beer noted. in fact that the one strategic advantage gained in re- cent fighting was gained by the Ger mans Many officers here believe that when a. small sector of the British line ln Belgium was overwhelmed and it's defenders nearly all captured or kill ed the Germans improved the situa- Hon on their weakest front materially. The view Is based on opinion that the only hope Of decisive attainments for The allies Is the west lines in rolling ID the Germann right flank, where it reaches the sea in Belgium.
 If that could be done. 1t is argued. he U-boat bases could be stamped sut and the only offensive instrument of the Germans be eliminated entirely pr so seriously impaired as to make t ineffective
 Here's the Big Question.
 The big question Is whether 1t could be done. It would require com bined army and navy operations on hzt part of the Belgian coast held by he Germans. for it would be neces- sary to force a landing behind their line and force the whole right flank pack from the sea as a result.
 The price of 8 victory of this na- lure would be appalling. and there is nothing to indicate that the effort is being seriously considered at present. It cannot be questioned however. that many army men both in Great Britain and the United States favor some des- perate attempt to bring the struggle to a conclusion
 No Cheer Tn the Past.
 Feports received from France off, cfal and unofficial so far as known give no cheering picture of what must he done There appears to be no doubt that the allied line can stand against any force Germany can bring against 1t. Even the Russian dis aster does not effect that situation. But together the necessary strength for successful offensive will take time and ample sea transportation fla rflities If the United States Is to fur nisF the needed surplus of men, air planes munitions and food.
 Land and Sea Problems.
 The transportation problems before the United States. both on land and sea. are constantly increasing in scope It seems to be certain now that whole railroad systems will have 10 be set up in France to give the American line the flow of war ma terfais and men that 1t must have to press home an attack
 Some military men here believe that no breach can be made for. many months through the German line of sufficient width to permit such opera lions in the rear as would force rolling up of the entire German front.
 No Discouraging Sign.
 Admitting all these points. however among American officials. President Wilson's declaration that the nation. not merely an army, must be made ready for war, is being carried out de- termfnedly and apparently with conf derce that Tn time men and supplies can be got to France in sufficient force to make certain the result.