Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-11-21
EDITOR
Germany's Double Purpose


There are two principal aspects to be remembered
in any discussion of the German drive into Italy
The first concerns Teuon military and economic
lpolicy, the second German anxieties
| 1t will be remembered that early last year Won
tTirpitz and the other advocates of ruthless sub
marine warfare promised the German people that
in three months after the hounds of the were
turned loose on enemy and neutral merchant ship
ping, England would be starved out. The date
Ioriginally set for England's submission was in
June
June passed, July passed, August passed, and
still the flood Of supplies poured into England and
across the channel into France. Thereupon the
APOSTLES of the U-boats revised their schedule and
promised victory in six months. Gig.
At the end of six months, Germany was farther
than ever from her goal Not only had the British
and French come through terrific period of sub
marine losses without actual suffering for food
serious shortage of supplies but they had begun to
solve the U-boat problem. Only few days ago the
latest figures showed great fallingoff in vessels
sunk by German divers
Germany's failing army has been e1horted to
hold on until the submarines could bring victory.
They have not brought victory and cannot bring it,,
for now America ships, American destroyers and a
mighty American drive have been injected into the
war.
To still the growing unrest in Germany, the war;
lords of Berlin must make some gigantic and spec
tacular coup. To hold the people submissive through
long winter of privation, there must be some new
promise some sort of military success.
Hence Germany, aided by the Russian break,
down, has gathered her men, taken over Austria s
bankrupt stock and concentrated for the drive into
Italy. If Venice can be secured the German peo-
pie may be deluded yet another few months-tricked
into further sacrifices
That is the military and economic policy behind
the German smash at Cadorna's army
The second main main reason for Teuton activity
on the Italian front is undoubtedly concerned with
plans for new peace proposals. Germany in the last
year and half has followed every spectacular vic
tory with some sort of peace propaganda This
transparent program fools no one but the Teutons
themselves least of all the men directing the des-
TIMES of war in England, France and America A
military power which has shown such arrogance
and ruthlessness as Germany would not hint at
peace if any sort of ultimate victory were certain
But Germany sees defeat and not victory at the
end of the long bloodsoaked path she is travelling
And so, unwilling to admit her gnawing anxiety,
she first sacrifices mutitudes of men to gain some
seeming military advantage, and then proclaims to
the world that now is the time to discuss peace
We may expect with entire confidence that Ger
many will renew peace Offers this winter-and that
the Allies will promptly turn them down.
Frank I'll. Smonds, the New York editorial writer
who has come to be regarded as about the most
authoritative we'll most readable critic of the
war; feels certain that the addition of The United
States to the ranks of the Allies settles the issue
He points out that just as Germany is beginning to
fail rather rapidly in man-power, strength is
hung into the fray, and that we can keep adding to
that strength and effectiveness for several years.
He argues that no matter what other factors enter
in, Germany and Austria have not the man-power
to hold out more than year Or longer.
Mr. Simonds, like many other writer today. be-
ieves that Uncle Sam will deliver the smashing
decisive blow that will put an end to kaiserdom
Most of the sneering about home economy and