New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-16
Translated by William L. Mcpherson

arm to help the other and how the present
everincreasing military pressure on Do'n
sides must compel q closer articulation OF
the opposing armies The highly admirable
performances of the army of Boroevic, when
has been doing a true labor of Hercules I'M
Ger the most difficult conditions on the
Jsonzo and the Carso, guarantees US good re-
cults in future battles. Only let the people
of Vienna not undervalue the fanatcal VIII
to war. which, in spite of all contrary indica-
tions behind the front, shows anew IN every
assault of the Italians.
II is clear that the increasing interest OF
the Western powers in the Italian campaign
can bring no decisive solution OF tne
Entente's strategic problem. The war VIII
not be decided in Italy. Since Russia mas
fallen out, there remains only the German
West front for a decisive Entente operation
About that our enemies are entirely clear IN
their minds The problem, therefore, really
limits itself to the question: How can the
German West front be broken?
Fro-taI Mass Attacks
On a previous occasion we explained on
what grounds the confidence OF the western
rowers in their superiority in men and mate
-ials has seen completely shattered. FROM
England and France we have before US unam-
biguous judgments which disclose that q
breaking through by means OF mass attacks
is regarded only as reasonable nope; one
cannot chase the Germans out of the terri
tory which they occupy by any single
stroke. Our enemies also pretty well
satisfied that there will be no great change
in this technical situation through the en-
trance of a great American army, if this does
not bring an extraordinarily strong rein
forcement, when the breakdown on the Rus
sian side and the lessening of the french
offensive power and especially losses OF the
French in their attacks are considered mat
an overwhelming reinforcement is hardly to
be expected our opponents also know, in view
of the effect of the U-boat warfare and the
fact that an English army really fit for war
could be put in action only after two years.
Nevertheless, victory in land war and
especially by the aid Of frontal mass attacks
still plays a great role in the calculations OF
our opponents, particularly the English. we
have recently shown in an editorial based on
an article in the Manchester Guardian" what
arguments our enemies make use OF. We
shall briefly summarize them: The Germans,
whose frort at Ypres is ever more powerfully
battered and pushed down from the hills,
must after a retreat, take position in new
and stronger line, and thereby must evacu-
ate at least the Flanders coast and the ada
cent fat lands We have replied to this:
Hindenburg will not do the English such a
favor. He will not need to do it, for the
reason that an army breaking through over
al extent Of only fifteen kilometres could
not progress, for it would be f1anked both
on the right and on the left by powerful
positions. But even though one controverts
these English arguments. they make COM
prchensibe how it is possible that the En-
tente press to-day, after more than three
years Of war, is so childish as to make such
a TODD over a few kilometres won in Flan-
dcrs. while we Germans have been able for
a long time to subscribe to the axiom: Who
ever will understand the strategy of this war
ard Of the German leadership can put detail
maps and zones aside; he needs only to pay
attention 20 one thing-whcther a breaking
through offensive will succeed or not
The New Theory of the French
This hope Of an immediate freeing Of Bel
gium is certainly not held universally In
England. In France il has still fewer fol-
lowers. There, in recent weeks, decided
reversal of judgment in regard TO the strate-
gic prospect has occurred. We draw this
conclusion from an article which the Partisan
correspondent Of the "Basle News" (Septem-
Der 28) has written to his paper on the
basis of the public expression of views in
the French Chamber on the entry of power
Of the Painleve Cabinet This correspondent,
who has written during the war news in no
way favorable to or sympathetic with Ger
many thus describes the opinion of the
House Of Deputies ard the government: In
thie war, according 70 the French view, too