Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-07-26
Collapse of Russian War Ma
chine Leaves Kaiser Free to
Bring Heavy Forces to the
West.
ALLIES NOT GAINING
STRATEGIC POSITIONS
American Military Experts Do
Not Believe Teuton Lines
Can Be Broken for Many
Months.

10y MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wiasi
washington, July 25.--No attempt
is made here to minimize the serious
ness OF the situation in the war thea
ters in Europe. The United States is
in the war and will go through with
1t; but any hope of short struggle
has gone glimmering with the appar-
ent almost complete collapse of the
Russian war machine.
The development was not unexpect-
ed 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.
Makes Situation Graver.
VeF TIE stsited States the Russian
collapse may have an immediate and
direct bearing. 1t will, if the German
general staff presses its advantage,
release additional German forces to
bolster up the western front, where
American troops are to be engaged.
The German line in the west has not
been seriously impaired at any point,
officials here believe.
1t has been 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 small sector of the Brit
ish line In Belgium was overwhelmed
the Germans improved their weakest
front materially. That view is based
n thn mi ion tnt AL. -
decisive attainments for the allies in
the west lies in rolling up the German
| right flank where 1t reaches the sea in
Belgium.
II that could be done, 1t is argued,
the U-boat bases could be stamped
out and the only offensive instrument
of the Germans be eliminated entire
ly or made ineffective.
Such Effort Improbable.
1t would require combined army
and navy operations for 1t would be
necessary to force q landing behind
the German line and force the whole
right flank back from the sea as a
result.
The price of such a victory against
teries probably would be appalling,
and there is nothing to indicate that
the effort is being seriously consid-
cred.
Reports from France, official and
unofficial, so far as known, give no
cheering picture of what must be
done. There appears no doubt that
IN linz t,,St
force Germany can bring against 1t.
Even the Russian disaster does not
affect the situation. But to gather the
necessary strength for successful
offensive will take time and ample sea
transportation facilities, IL the United
States is to furnish the needed sur
plus of men, airplanes, munitions and
food.
The transportation problems before
sea, are constantly increasing in scope.
1t seems certain now that whole rail-
road systems will have to be set up
in France to give the American line
the flow of war materials and men
that 1t must have to press home an
attack.
There is an old military rule that n
fortified position cannot be taken by
direct attack, but must be turned or
isolated. Some military observers
here say the allied offensive has con-
sisted Of direct attack against fortifi-
cations stronger than any fort of for
mer days, in effect q fortified belt
from the sea to the Swiss border that
is perhaps more than ZOE miles wide.
It is the belief of some military
men here that no breach can be made
for many months through the Ger.
man line of sufficient width to permit
such operations in the rear as would
force rolling up of the entire Ger
man front.
Admitting all these points. however,
there Is no sign of discouragement
among American officials President
Wilson's declaration that. the nation,
not merely an army. must be ready
for war, is being carried out determin-
edly and apparently with confidence
that in time men and supplies can be
got to France In sufficient force to
make certain the result m