Evening journal., 1917-12-04
DOUBTS IF J.. 5.
SENDS BIC ARMY.
Hindenburg Gals Trans
portation and Submarine
lDsuperable
LUDENDORFF BACKS
RUTHLESSNESS PLAN

AMSTERDAM, Dec. i.-Field Marshal
ron Hindenburg, according TO an Inter
ilew with the Vienna News Freie
Presse, stnl discounts the entry OF the
United states into the war. The Ger
man Field Marshal is quoted as making
m ironical reference to American ad-
5crtising methods, adding
1T is certain that the United states
Is making efforts 10 create a big army,
md the war is an opportuue preteXt
Tor This, as in peace times the DIM
,ulties would be too great 10 do
Il Japan, too. would not have looked
sn with Indifference.
The Americans hardly viii send their
aewly created army into Europe at once.
IS by doing so their own country would
be rendered helpless in case Japan
should show a sudden inclination to
iquare up old accounts with America
Moreover, the transport question
would offer difficulties not less than
mpplies. German U-boats would be a
'urther obstacle.
1T certainly may be easy to build
thousands Of airplanes as America has
announced. but It is difllcut to equip
hem But wherever they may appear
he Germans will not be wanting.
Gen. Won Ludendorff, Hindenburg's
thief Of stan, is quoted in the same in
lerview as saying that the war will end
n decision for the Central Powers.
Ie does not base this belief so much
ipon the Russian situation as upon the
,eneral trend Of events. He asserted an
rmisllce would be Of advantage solely
20 the Entente. while Germany would
,e able TO receive no supplies during the
Interruption Of submarine warfare.
Asked whether the western European
Powers without the prospect of Amer
ca's assistance would not in the mean
ime have been forced to conclude peace.
General Won Ludendorff said.
since the U-boat war gave America
/ pretext TO enter the war, this ques-
6on is tantamount TO the question as 10
Khether the u-boat war was the right
lolicy Regarding this my conviction
+ unchanged The U-boat war is right.
\ has accomplished what we expected.
Z was not question Of starving Eng
and within few months, but Of max
ng her inclined toward peace.
''The supreme army command intend
vi by means OF the submarine war
o cause not so much special, but gem
ral effects, and especially as regards
tngland-to cut off her very important
upplies Of coal.
How effective the campaign has been
n this respect Is proved by the report
" the chief OF the German neld rail-
ways that the allied troops in Italy neeC
2 10 other supplies than coal. The scare
~ Of British tonnage is also proved b!
highlands inability to import Australian
Vheat
1T appears the Russians are the frs
o be inclined for peace. will not sa.
hat ] regard the Bolsheviki manifesto.
ion as peace offer. There must be q
ecuse government for this purpose, one
Nhich possesses power 10 enforce in
erpslly and externally the results Of
ho negotiations with us. OF course we
AN conclude an armisiice with Russia at
my time as soon as we have the assur-
lnce that IL will be maintained. 4
gcneral armistice, however, will be diff
lcult 10 achieve
General Won Ludendorff considered the
lussian revolution not a mere piece OF
uck for the Central Powers but nat
lrsl result OF the war operations.
Modern war said the General, us
} war of peoples, not OF armies, and a
war ends now when an enemy people is