The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1917-12-24
YEAR OF WAR
CHAHGES LAST
XMAS VIEWS
Allies Stop Speculation on
Weakness Of Foe to
Tighten Own Belts.
ny FRANK w. GETTY.
Special Gable to washIngten Her.h
and New York Tribune.

uuu NtW toFk lrluuut.
London. Dec 23.-The fourth Christ.
mas OF the war differs from the thrue
preceding. although the actual COM
batants stpl face each other on the
West front from Nieuport Bains to
the mouth OF the Piave. a cross a
mo mans land for the most part
shrouded in snow.
This has never really been-at least
not Tor the last six months-a peach
Christmas anyhow. Aside from the
new and blantant optimists no one ex-
pected an end of hostilities to be
reached this year. There is the great
est difference in the allied viewpoint
and the leaders Of the people have
stopped Specializing on the enemy's
power or weakness and have turned
attention 10 their own.
Allies Tighten Belts.
England, France and Italy are tight
ening their belts and preparing to see
through" the struggle which il is rec
ognized now has become one Of sheer
endurance.
II is even doubtful il the Russians
will spend a very peaceful Christmas
despite the Bolsheviki armistice with
the enemy. Tor aside from increasing
signs OF grave internal disorders and
the formation OF another counter
revolution, it is becoming apparent
that the armistice is developing into
farce and the negotiators are re-
ported returning home.
For her part. England faces the
closing days of 1917 with undiminished
spirit. whether purely for propaganda
purposes or through official incapacity
TO recognize The actuali;ies. the coun-
try at this time last year was led to
believe that 1t was only a matter OF a
few months before the enemy would
be beaten.
The people for the most part conf
IDENTIFY expected that when the ground
dried in the summer the allies in the
west would sweep the Germans back
within their own borders and dictate
terms OF peace.
No Deiusiens Vow.
This Christmas finds no such de-
fusion proclaimed or tolerated in
any circles. Government officials.
the people. and. most Of all. the
soldiers. now know q long, hard
fight is ahead before the ultimate
Issue OF q decisive allied victory 20
reached.
There is Just one excuse-the col
lapse Of Russia-but today some Of
the wiser are beginning to realize
that even the presence OF Russia as
an active fighting force in the East
would not have produced the hoped
for peace this year.
Now Russia has split the milk
and it is for the allies TO increase
their efforts accordingly and not
be content with a good excuse for
the present unsatisfactory condi-
tions.
Enemy's Problems Unknown.
A year ago the talk vas all Of Ger
many's troubles and weaknesses and
probable collapse What the enemy's
problems are now, no one knows. He
has gained in man power through the
detection OF his Eastern enemy and his
food difficulties are believed 10 be ac-
tually diminishing through the applica-
tion Of Prussianism TO this phase Of
the war
As far as nerves go. the enemy's
are apparently as good as the allies
No longer does any one here find Jus
tihcation for what at one time was the
almost daily hope that the Germans
would crack under the strain.
England's problems are tvo-foIi,
food and men with the accent on
food.
France needs food and coaI-her
man power is already taxed 60 It's
full strength, and the movement IN
France is not towards it's increase.
but rather it's in the other direction.
Besides needing food and coal badly,
Italy has a real fight on her hands,
and despite the recent success in
throwing back the enemy. Christmas
finds her like Little Red Riding Hood,
far from home.