The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-07-10
.FRFNCH PEOPLE BELIEVE WAR
PROLONGED BY j. 8. EN- RANCE
Accession Of American Power Thought to Have Set Peace
Talk Further Into Future and Caused Allies to
Delay Their Greatest Military Stroke.
BY FRED B. PlTNEY.
(Copyrieht 1917 BY The Tribune Associat!on)

Of the allies would be increased and
thus peace talk would be set further
into the future.
There was an Idea at one time tna'
n certain measure of success Tor the a.
lies in their campaign this summer
would make them willing To discuss
peace in case Germany should shoN
siens of q real desire to stop lighting
! There was an idea that II. In the au-
! tumn, Germany made tangible suBRes-
tions. puurparlers might begin. II WIS
felt that the strain or SUCCESSFUL can
paIgn would be such thai. even consla-
: rrinE the great weakening a success'oll
of defeats in the field would mean 10
! their opponents. the victorS would De
compellcd 10 consider the civil popuIa-
lion behind The lines and listen 10 rca,
Sonable talk from Germany. Ana IL was
believed that such demonstration |"
Germany. as. for example. driving neE
nut of France, would bring reasonable
talk from her.
The Justice and moderation Of this
view is evident 10 anyone VINO mas sren'
the time OF the war in oellIEerent couh-
;ries. The strain OF war Is always f .hn
severe on the civilian population than
on the lighting armies. This Ia ooth
psychological and physically true.
France has undergone in SILENCE degree
of suffering and strain hardly noSslDie
10 believe. especially in view Of the Old
long established theory that the French
are n volatinc people incapable OF long
! null. Never was theory more thor-
uughly disprovcd than that one has oeen
in this war.
RuI iusl because Of the long pull so
hravely endured, the belief grew that
the governments must recognize the sur
ferings Of the people and moi ASK 700
much OF them. Once the allies got Inc
upper hand they would he in receptive
cts DrODO-
sltions.
On tho other hand. the failure of the
summer campaign would be conNlncinE
proof Of tho usclcssncss OF prolonglnG
inckcying as to which side should offer
reare or persuade some neutral 10 offer
itself as mediator.
The entry OF America into the war at
once put a different fnce on the sltna-
tion. \ successful summer campaign
would mean only another winter In the
trenches. waiting for spring TO allow
ontinuatIOn Of the drive. until Germany
should hc fairly hcaten In tho heid. for
with American support hnth the army
and the people would hr willing and ahlc
to endure through another winter ut war
for the sake Of definite victory over inc
German armies. They would force Ger
many not only 10 make sincere sugEes-
tionS for peace but definitely TO sue Tor
peace.
America in the war tho campaign This
wear would he only tactical. playing
for tactical advantages In preparation
for the big offensive next spring. whoR
America would he ready 10 throw her
entire weight into the greRt allied blow.
Frcnchmen gave great deal or thought
70 how soon America could get ready
for war. and with their knowlcdc" ~
what modern war requires nf nation.
they could not 500 how America could
he ready to enter the field before 1918.
!. TWO Years More Of War Foreseen-
This probably would moan two years
moro Of war. For the allied blow would
not be struck until next spring. and Ger
mary is too strong 10 be beaten In the
field In ono year Shr might bc brought
in one, wear TO make suggestions for
peace that would he acceptable tn the
allies rs n basis for negotiations. but
definite victory in the field would re-
Quire not less than two years. The hrst
year she would be staggered beyond re
rov"ry. hut still fighting vic'ously. Tho
second year she might ce definitely
heatcn-anh again. ii might take well
into tho third year.
There roma med tho possibility that
France ard England. encouraged hy Tho
American alliance anil with the added
resources in materials this alliance would
bring thrr. would 10 able 10 conduct
with their own armies successful Of
rensive campaign this year. With Am
erica in, tho part Of wisdom. however.
Sc"ncd To hc ~ plrv q waiting game his
hand IN military operations. and STRIKE
lhr hiC blow next year.
Thus. however. tn situation VAS
viewed. French opinion sow the war pro-
!onGrd from two to thrn,. years as the
result OF American Intervention.