Evening star., 1917-09-09
Danger in Overconfi0ence.


when the war began. People there be-
lfeved that the British troops would
merely assist in the finishing touches
and return home in a few months
After a year the country realized that
1T was a struggle for existence and in
two years more 1t has organized gf-
gantic army. Men of sober judgment
here are unanimous in their opinion
that, though the war has lasted three
years. it will be necessary for the
United States to enter the struggle on
the same scale and with the same con-
centrated purpose as those with which
the United Kingdom entered upon II.
Only in this way can the final crushing
blow be struck. 1t is necessary that
the people at home realize the true
situation and brace themselves for
conflict which will take every pound
Of their energy if their democratic in
stitutions are to be saved.
Deliberation in the matter of send
ing the American soldiers into the
trenches is being urged. Bubbling with
enthusiasm. the younger officers and
the men in the ranks are eager to
enter the trenches and take over
part Of the line Immediately. They
have been encouraged and made con-
Adent by the rapid progress they have
made in mastering the details of mod
efn warfare under the intensive train
ing they have received at the hands
OF their competent teachers. the Chas-
0eurs Alpins. Cooler men believe that
such q move would be folly and smile
tndulgently at the buoyancy of youth.
Rushing over an expedition made up
chiefly of rockies served the purpose
Of stirring up enthusiasm at home and
abroad. The recruits of a few months
ago are now trained and seasoned
veterans. but much more is needed
before they take an active part in the
Sighting.
Battles Of the present day require a
Tremendous number Of men. Amer
1ca's standing as a nation is at stake.
II cannot take mart of the line
without many times as many men in
the reserves as there are in the
trenches This means building up
great organization. The men here are
Snficiently advanced to continue learn
ing under their own instructors. In
. few weeks they will be qualified to
instruct the later contingsnts. until a
denied at headquarters that the with
drawal Of the French instructors means
IN early move to the trenches.
Men Chained to Guns.
Germany is fighting with the des-
p<ration of a cornered bear. French
some Of the recent battles with the re-
port that they found dead German SOL
dIefs chained to the machine guns. SO
that they would be compelled to fight
the men who were chained to the guns
before an attack were told they must
either repulse the French or De Killed
More ruthlessness, more horrors-this
q the keynote Of the German prepara-
tions for the last desperate stand. The
Newspaper representing the krupps
and other big manufacturing interests.
the Reinische Westphalische Zeitung.
copies of which have been received
from American government agents.
says: "Al1 great generals from Alex
aader to Frederick the Great succeeded
~ employing thorough methods and
sweeping the regions occupied of ev-
efything of value. Put the enemy in a
worse position than our own. Every
0oftening IL q mistake. We Germans
have not recognized this principle and
have been too magnanimous. The
forced contributions In Belgium repre-
sent only francs (s1.S0) a month for
each person. Add to this the 10000. 900
francs 12.000,000) which is the cost
Of our army IN Belgium, and the Bel
CLANS will pay only per cent of their
income for the war, while Germany
pays Is per cent. There are more men
IN Belgium capable of working than in
any other country. and there are more
supplies at lower prices.