The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-12-28

lea ana Russia are so different. tbei,
abilities to contribute men. ships mn
nitions and food so disproportionate
IL does not of course follow that be
cause S,OOO,OOO Russian soldiers have
ceased to oppose the Germans there
lore America must at once send 5000.
ooo men to France. What the alliance
must have, however, is a pressure AT
least equivalent to that hitherto exert.
ed by Russia.
Expressed In terms of man power
this means not that we have to re-
place the Russian armies man for man.
but that we have to Offset and more
than Offset the additional German
strength that the Russian collapse en-
ables or will enable Germany to throw
upon the west front.
ALLOWING for necessary army of
occupation, 1t Is probable that If Rus
sia made separate peace Germany
could bring 81 fresh divisions against
our front next spring." competent
authority told me. Admittedly the
United States cannot put SO many
men into the line SO soon. but those 81
divisions, IL the worst comes to the
worst in the east, represent goal
to be reached and passed by America
as soon as possible.
Must Arm Five Million Men.
When the United States has 81 d.
visions In the line the effect upon the
west front or Of the collapse of Russia
in the east will have been overcome.
Each division In the line means mt
least twice as many men in spots In
the rear and at home. ready to fill
the gaps. The experience Of Eu-
ropean armies indicates that to main
tain hundred divisions at the front
a year. America must put under arms
not less than 100000 men.
The prospect Of two or three years
more war seems appalling enough for
the United States; for the countries
In Europe, almost suicide. There Is,
however one hope, not lost sight of by
the men who most insist upon the ne
cessity for complete victory. Many
Of them believe TINT Germany will of
her own accord throw up the sponge
rs soon as she realizes that the forces
against her, even with Russia knock
ed ont, are so great that she faces
certain defeat.
IF, these men argue, the German
people see any hope of acquiring a
controlling interest In Russia and the
east, and firing out the western al
lies. they will stand by their rulers
and hang on for year or even two
years more. But If America prepared
thousands of airplanes and evidences
an absolute determination to go
through to the finish regardless Of the
cost, the Germans are likely soon to
give up those dreams Of world power
which rose so high ut first, afterwards
sank, but have fiared up since at each
new success, and cannot but burn
brighter than ever now that the dread
ed COLOSSUS of the East" lies pros
trate beneath the German sword.
Wilson Diplomacy Hailed.
Herein lies the value of Wilson d.
plomacy, which has raised the Amer
lean president to a pinnacle Of esteem
enioyed by no American in Europe
during his lifetime. and has made Will
son. q great liberal editor said to me
today, ''the captain Of the allies
team"
Brute force by itself will prolong
the massacre for years; the pacifist de-
sire TO patch up peace on almost any
terms that will save the face or Doth
sides would lead to German world
mastery. The hope Of the world lies
In the Wilson system; the utmost pos
sible speed and efficiency In waging
wor. coupled with n constant offer or
peace to the German people on gener-
Gus terms If they will signify, by get
ting rid of their autocracy, that tney
are willing to abandon the policy that
bos drowned the world in blood.
ALMOST every pOiiiiNioh ohN 1850
affairs I know has come around 10 the
Wilson formula; and of these men
year ago, nine in every ten were aous-
ing the president, In private II not
In public. more than any other living
statesman, excepting the kaiser. Inc
one fear remaining here is that the
United States will not realize, prompt
w enough. the earth-shaking implica-
lions of the Russian debacle, VIII not
hack up her diplomacy, which now al
mittedIy leads the forces OF civi'lAa-
lion by the overwhelming force neees-
sary to carry 1t into effect.
Germany Believes Draw Possible:
pefore the Russian revolution, De-
fore tbe United States entered the war,
,ha belief was common that draw
was the only possible outcome. Ger
MANY is trading on that belief TO-DAY,
throwing out through dozen neu.ra'
channels the insidious sugges''on.
.We are ready to call 1t a draw, 10
Give up all we have won IN .ne VS. o..
E belgium. even perhaps Alsace-Lor,
zine: II you think your honor involved
rum 80 ~ Serbin. we may even