New-York tribune., 1917-12-10


and nsyics are merely subdivisions o. tne
fighting forces.
The klcxanders ard Cassrs of the pas,
we're not alone generals OF land forces; they
we're absolute. l. Is well within two hundred
Years when admirals led land troops and gen
,rals commanded on the sea. Our War De
tartment originally included the navy. ana
VIC do no. speak OF the Secretary OF the
Army but the Secretary of War
In England they have a Minister Of NUM-
lions and will nave Minister Of the Air.
There has been some talk Of generals
sino. but il by this is meant land general
it is not sufficient The army, the navy, the
air feet. money, food and munitions arc
merely the cogs Of the war machine, ana.
like the hands, feet, stomach and nerves OF
n human being. must be directed from ono
brain. or tho legs will not carry the BODY 70
the right place where the hands can feed the
stomach.
one directing head. even If not OF supreme
ability. will accomplish much more than an
executive council, however able.
We do not want to create a new Napoleon
and it is doubtful if Lloyd George would be
willing 10 serve under Wilson.
The task Of finding a match for Emperor
William is no easy one, but from the ethical
roint Of view he should be a democrat OF
the democrats, and one who would have the
respect Of all. not for what he might do, but
for what he had done.
Just as the Corscan Napoleon became the
commander OF the French armies, so the
former commander Of the South African
Dutch, General Louis Botha, a man whose
cwn country has disappeared, might be the
nan Of the hour. His fighting ability is a
matter Of history. Could Lloyd George be
big enough to sink his own ambition 20
lead the world as we'll as England. all the
others might be willing to serve under Botha.
In the same way, Theodore Roosevelt has
already made his name in history, and has
held the highest Office in one of the great
est countries Of the world. Could President
Wilson sink his own natural ambition 20 be
the foremost leader in the world to-day, as
well as in the United States, the others might
be willing TO serve under Roosevelt
In Sparta two kings ruled in time OF
Veace, but one commanded in time OF war.
When Rome seemed il danger as il did from
Hannibal, the two consuls gave way TO Fa-
bius, the dictator. Pompey, Crassus and
Cesar could not rule together, therefore the
first two were eliminated.
The Quickest and Least Costly Way
The conferences and debates in Congress
served more TO hinder than TO help George
Washington, and the North made little prog
ress against the South until Grant was
given supreme command. Let Us not deceive
ourselves. We will win this war by holding
a town meeting OF nations, but We can win
much more quickly, at much less expense
and with much less loss of life by selecting
an executive manager now and by all obey
ing his orders as we do now those Of Coal
The Allies represent an international vigi-
lance committee which is endeavoring to over
come an OUTLAW nation and TO force it TO re-
spect international law snd keep the peace.
Such committee is never effective unless il
has one executive TO carry out its wishes and
enc who has a perfectly free hand 20 act on
the instant.
Ex-President Taft's dream OF world
league TO enforce peace might now be real
lied, and a world court between the Allies
might be established, but before any court
is effective and before justice and order can
be enforced there must De sheriff to bring
the offender into court.
| believe that Lloyd George and President
Wilson are absolutely right in principle, but
DO not so far enough. and that it is our duty
TO back them up by insisting that some one
man be selected to direct the Allies opera
tions in line with policy to be laid down by
an Allied council. 1t is immaterial whether
we call such an officer Secretary to the Coun-
Gil, General Manager of the War, High Sheriff
tf the World, Generalissimo or Dictator.
The mother and father of every boy who
is now at the front or who may be sent there
haye a right to feel that his life will no, be
sacrificed on account of the jealousy Of
statesmen, Of generals, or of nations.