The Washington times., 1917-06-14

been turned to good account and
not only had the losses been made
good and the depots filled. but a
great number OF new divisions had
been created. The supply OF guns
and munitions from the Russian fac
tories was steadily increasing, while
all Russis's allies had done their best
to increase her supply of war ma
terisl
Despite their own needs, which
still remained incompletely satisfied,
the allies did not hesitate to send to
Russia hundreds Of guns and millions
OF rounds of ammunition in the firm
belief that the Russians would be
prepared to make good use of them
against the common enemy. Russia
at last was passably equipped.
Though the internal difficulties OF
transport and supply were far from
overcome, the Russian military chiefs
assured US that we could count this
year on energetic support from the
Russian armies in both Europe and
Asia Minor.
Prospect Seemed Brilliant.
The allied campaign in the west
must be judged in relation to the an
tIcipated timely cooperation of the
Russian armies which early in March
were two or three times superior
numerically to the Austrian and Ger
man troops facing them. Thanks TO
the devotion of the western allies, .
brilliant campaign for the gallant
Russian armies appeared as we'll as
sured as any mundane affair of the
kind could be-
Faces supresAe CrisIA-
The Western allies have every req
son to entertain the warmest feelings
toward their Russian friends, whose
loyalty in the common cause has been
superb as their sacrifices have been
immense. Never can we forget or re-
pay the Unexpectedly rapid appear
ance of the Russians In the field in
1914. their terrible sufferings in 1915,
their glorious campaigns last year.
Faces Supreme Crisis.
I'VE know that Russia is passing
through the most severe trials that
ever have fallen to her lot, but we
should be both culpsble and blind did
we not recognize that It is next to i'm
practicable for any great country.
most OF all for Russia, to transform
its political institutions at the SUI
preme crisis OF a great war and not
be incapacitated for action in q mill
tarY sense.
mot, the fact, but the military con-
! sequences, OF the revolution have filled
J Russia's western allies with profound
: chagrin. What those consequences
have been we know full well, and Rus
STA ought to know, too. No danger
writes Major Morsht in the Tages-
zeitung, any longer threatens the cen
trial powers from the east We shall
be able to take military and political
: advantage of this fact We had a
: great fighting chance to bring Ger
many to her knees in this years cam
paign, strong though she remained,
well though her men fought.
VIII ProIonE War a Year.
''If the Russian revolution brought
freedom to Russia II also risked
: bringing slavery to Europe. At the
best It will prolong the campaign a
year unless. contrary 20 all reason
able anticipation, the Russian armies
are able to renew promptly the
mighty deeds OF their past.
, That which has brought chaErin
OF US must, we are all convinced.
. have brought anguish TO many Rus
sian hearts. for Russia q defaulter on
the field OF honor would be a total
contradiction to the whole of her
wArliks history. The time Is short
10 which Russia oan act effectively
this year.
Her best leaders speak with no
uncertain voice. While hsrcely de-
I ~ I'M
? urged their fellow countrymen to
! action. but the action of modern
, armies cannot usefully take place by
Improvisation or generous impulse.
The preparation OF a modern often
sive IL Q tremendous affair. II needs
authority and discipline; It needs
trained STAINS. There must be perfect
order in the rear OF the armies. the
people behind them must remain pa
tient and united and must work with
silent and sustained energy TO secure
victory at the front.
: Great Assets Needed.
''The sum OF moral and material
assets necessary TO armies before
they can attain success in modern
war is so great that but few are
blessed with Il. Even the German
armies in the west have only once
made q pretence OF possessing II
since the autumn Of 1914
1T is true of all countries at all
times that when authority lapses dis
cipllns is gone, when desertion eats
like a cancer into the body military.
when the Individual comes first and
the State last. when at once every
body and nobody rules, when finances,
, communications. supplies, munitiOn
factories are in q state Of chaos;
when Eeparatist tendencies begin to
manifest themselves in the interior
Of the country, when no strong ma
arrives TO dominate all the warning
factions, then rarely shall we find
military success.
III we could fairly measure the
SlAv race by our Western standards,
IL we were sure that we completely
Compounded Russia, were a. :urate-
ly Informed Of all that has happened
in that country since the fRteful
March 10. we should be compelled to
count Russia as down and out for
this year at least and make our plans
accordingly.
Russian Race Emotional.
But one note Of Interrogation still
remains. The Russian is very sympa-
thstic TO us-witness the close friend
ship that has sprung up between Brit