The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-11-08

ucCH HO easy pIOUiClu W NCICi LlliO
how they can be used most effectively
since the Independent presentation of
requirements by the allied govern
ments have been more or less conflict
ing on account of each governments
appreciation of its own wants., which
are nntural'v given greater import
ance than the wants of other govern
ments. Fly a general survey of the
whole situation and free discussion
of the needs of ALL the approaching
conference will undoubtedly be able
to give the demands of the several
governments their true perspective
and proper place in the general plans
for the conduct of the war.
Though the resources of this cOun-
try are vast, and though there is ev-
cry purpose to devote them all, if need
be, to winning the ewar, they are not
without limit.
:" ~ The Supreme. Object. rs
But even if they were greater they
should all be used to the highest ad.
vantage in attaining the supreme OBJ.
ject for which we are fighting. This
can only be done by full and frank
discussion of the plans and needs Of
the various belligerents 1t is the
earnest wish of this government to
employ it's military and naval forces
and its resources and energy where
they will give the greatest return in
advancing the common cause. The
exchange Of views which will take
place at the conference, and the con-
illusions which will be reached will
be of the highest value in preventing
waste of energy and in bringing into
harmony, the activities Of the nations
which have been unavoidably acting
in a measure independently.
I'm looking forward to the assembl-
ing of the conference 1t cannot be
too strongly emphasized that 1t is a
war conference and nothing else, de-
voted to deyising ways and means to
intensity the efforts of the belliger-
ents against Germany by complete CO.
operation under general plan, and
thus bring the conflict to a speedy and
satisfactory conclusion.
The situation pictured by secretary
Lansing in his statement shows that
the real purpose of the conference is
to create, in effect, great general
staff to coordinate and direct the en-
ergies of the allies. 1t will be the
duty of the conferees to deal with
military strategy in such sweeping
terms that entire nations will be but
units of operations in the great game.
The whole fighting force of three.
fourths Of the world is to be welded
into one mighty war making machine,
Mr.. Lansing discloses something OF
the complex problems with which gov
eminent has had to deal in serving as
the treasurer and stOrehOuse for all
the. allies.
Already money and supplies have
been poured out at the call OF the
various powers with lavish hand. AS
each mission has come to present its
case and state its needs, its arguments
have been heard and the resources OF
the United States have been drawn
upon.
Each visiting mission, however, has
death largely or only with its own
needs. Each has clamored for men,
ships, money, food. munitions or what
it most lacked. There has been the
same lack of coordinated plans and
predetermined objective and purposes
that has been apparent at times on
the battlefields of Europe.
Thus, while dealing with the neces'
sity of providing for it's own military
needs and electing the course OF It's
own military efforts, the United States
has been made by circumstances the
arbiter of many phases OF the war.