South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-19
NEXT YEAR IS
CRUCIAL ONE
IN GREAT WAR
Critics Expect Germany to At
tempt Great Thrust, DOOM
ed to Failure and Allies
viii Return Blow.
international News Service:

LONDON, Dec. 10. - The
nations involved in the world
war stand today upon the thresh-
hold of the crucial year of the
struggle and the few days inter
veHing before the beginning of
1913 will see a new era of war
management uShered in.
The two figures that loom up as
the most conspicuous and most dom
iuant for leadership on the entente
side during the next year are Pres't
Wilson and Premier Lloyd George.
the allies two strong men"
Important Events.
The events OF the present year
that will exert the most powerful in
fiuence upon the 1918 campaigns are
these.
GJ-The entry Of the United
states into the struggle with the
American government committed to
tight TO victory;
t2)-The collapse OF Russia as
lighting unit and the possibility of
seperate peace involving Russia
and Roumania
(2)-The reorganization of the
allies method Of conducting the war
To- secure unity and coordination,
not only in directing the armies, but
in supplying them as well;
tD-The Austro-German invasion
Of northern Italy. carrying the fight
ing into the Venetian plains FOR the
first time since Italy entered the
war.
(5l-The concentration OF Brit
aims effort against Turkey i'm the
Near East with the evident purpose
OF crushing forever Germany's i'm
perial dream of complete control Of
trade routes from Berlin TO the
Persian gulf
Great Impetus I'm Spring.
There is every indication that
there will be continuous fighting on
the western and italian fronts
throughout the winter and that
spring and early summer Will see a
tremendous impetus TO the allies
blows with great masses Of Amer
leans on the firing line.
Although Americas original war
plans called only for troops upon
the western front. the declaration of
war against Austria indicates that
1918 will see the Stars and Stripes
on the Italian battle front.
Germany's submarine war aimed
chiefly against British shipping has
proved failure. The ruthless
underwater warfare has been in
progress almost a year and, despite
the claims and boasts made in Ber-
lin. England Is as far from being
starved as she was before the sub
marines got active.
To Make Great EhOrt
Germany is TO make her greatest
effort I'm 1919 with the hope Of de-
livering crushing blow on the west
ern and Italian front before the
American army can get fully into
action. she has reached the max
smum OF her submarine output and
q great fleet will be operating on
and under the high seas while the
armies. released from the eastern
fPont. will be hurled against the gal
liant soldiers fighting the allied
cause in Belgium. France and Italy.
But the allies are not 20 be- caught
rapping The leaders OF the entente
armies know what 10 look for from
Germany and plans are being made
TO meet IL.
What Critics FOrcsee.
True. France has suffered from
her exhausting struggle but there is
still plenty OF fight left in the men
unfolding the glorious tri-color
Military critics look for the fol-
lowing 20 happen in 1918
Germany will deliver her most
tremendous stroke To viii fail The
allies will come back with a smash
Ing blow that viii send the Teutons
Keeling. That will be the turning
poirt and the vision OF peace. which
has been hidden so long behind the
black clouds OF war. viii begin 20
rise in the splendor OF an allied vic
fOT