The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-03
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1917.
THE STRATEGY INVOLVED.

In taking the position assumed in the recent order
to neutral nations. the German war office undoubted-
y first carefully weighed in the balance its probable
influence on final victory or defeat
When the American government was notified.
that. directly contrary to all rules of civilized war
fare and International law. Germany intended
to sow the eastern portion of the Atlantic ocean with
mines and sink any neutral ship approaching the
French or British coasts. the German officials knew
that they were openly inviting hostGties with every
self respecting neutral nation.
The German war office knew that the United
States could not do otherwise than protect her yes.
sels upon the high seas. at every hazard and with
all the naval power at its command.
When Germany sent the note. she was fully pre-
pared to accept that result. She well knew that no
other course would be left open to this country.
But the war lords Of Germany believe, and prob
ably with good reason, that the result will still be
more advantageous than the maintenance Of peace
with this country
They well know that we have no army worthy of
the name. So far as our being able to strike back
with an army. capable Of serious oense. within ono
yedI ulcy hHOW 10 Ut lHApOSSlDc. ONe, TWO or i've
million men might be called tomorrow but it is not
possible to arm. equip and drill them into respect
able fighting force in much less than period of 10
months. Germany knows this far better than some Of
our peace at any price compatriots here at home.
- y s.
But what about our great navy? We have pretty
fair sized navy, well equipped in some branches and
liz, l,.l'
vessels.
1t is about as certain as anything can be that our
entire naval force will soon be ordered to convoy
American merchant vessels to and from European
ports. This duty will probably consume most of its
energy. With the entire American navy acting as con-
voy to our merchant vessels. through the war zone
the volume Of tonnage to European ports will still
be considerably reduced
In the event that all our battle fleet and cruisers
engaged. the presence Of one or two or three
German submarines along our own Atlantic coast line
will call back from convoy duty the greater portion of
our navy for the protection Of our own coastvise
trade.
In the meanwhile Germany will expect to cut off
the greater portion Of the present tonnage of food and
other supplies from Britain and France She hopes, in
this way to starve 100000 people in the British
Isles to a surrender.
Germany knows that Great Britain is the back
bone Of the allies strength With England out Of the
game. she would make short work of France and
Russia
We believe that this is the strategy involved in the
recent order to the United States to get off of the
ocean.
Suppose the movement fails and England canno,
be starved into submission? In that event, Germany
having deliberately invited the hostility of the United
States, and giving US time to arm and equip mus
necessarily face final defeat
But there may be method in such seeming madness
10 face final defeat at the hands Of the present allie
would be Illuminating In the extreme and the con
fesslon of defeat and the acceptance of the terms i'm
posed would in all probability invite rebellion by tn.
masses OF the German people against the future ru,
Of the military caste and even the house of Hohen
zollem itself.
But having also become involved with the riches
nation on earth. in both mer and military resources
the present ruling class in Germany could say to tn
people. 'how can we contend longer against sucl
overwhelming odds? We have not been defeated
we have simply been overwhelmed by all the powerful
nations Of the earth. Under the circumstances nov
confronting u.s. we can only submit to the inevitable.
y r.
With the world afire. we have folded our hand
and INDUCED ourselves with the phantom Of worl
peace. and thanked God and Wilson for keeping u
out OF swar.-.f
The note from the Kaiser last Wednesday evenn
ewoke US from our pleasant dreams. Some Of us al