New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-09


To the American mind it seems clear
that the German is the enemy; that the
Western front is the decisive field; that
the combined attack of the French, the
British and such American troops as may
reach Europe before the midsummer Of
next year should produce military de-
cision next year-a military decision which
will be comprehended in a retirement of
the German armies either behind the
Meuse and the Scheldt or behind the Meuse
from the outposts Of Verdun to the forts
of Liege
1t is going to be necessary to support
Italy. 1t may be necessary to support
Italy next summer. But unless we see a
sudden Transformation Of conditions in
Venetia the opportunity for a successful
offensive which would put Austria-Hun-
gary out Of the war-if there ever was
such an opportunity-ha passed away
and it would be a mistake for the Allies
to waste more strength in the Valley of
the Pc than is necessary to pin down the
Austro-G German forces behind the lines on
which the Italians make their stand
Whether Italy can contribute and is
willing to contribute men in return Tor
guns and munitions-the men TO be used
with the French, the British and the
American troops on the Western front
is a question not to be canvassed at the
present moment, but it is obvious that
American resources must not be scattered,
Int concentrated. 1t is obvious that the
aid that we bring, considerable or incon-
siderable, will prove useless unless 1t is
used effectively at the decisive point. The
failure of the higher strategy of the Allies
50 far has led to the sacrifice Of Rumania,
partially caused, to be sure, by the treach-
erv of the old Russian regime, While the
Allies must charge against themselves the
destruction of Serbia and the temporary
loss of Greece. In effect, the Allies have
so far brought up their reserves in detail
and they have been beaten in detail
whereas the Germans have waited for the
propitious moment to use all their strength
in a single blow Sometimes they have
failed, as at Verdun; sometimes they
have succeeded shiningly as against Rus
STA and now against Italy. But at all
times the advantage of the method has
been unmistakable.
There is no cause for doubt, there is no
reasonable ground for expecting anything
but a complete victory, even if the balance
of the war has to be fought with only
Britain, France and the United States on
the Allied side-a speculation that does in
Justice to the evident resurgence of national
spirit in Italy since the recent defeat.
These three nations, in men, in money and
in all that makes for successful war, far
surpass Germany and her stricken allies.
The history of the past demonstrates that
every effort of single European nation
since the Roman Era to dominate Europe
has failed, and in modern history coali-
tons have almost without exception been
successful.
The problem to-day which the Allied
/ Conference must consider, concerning
which the American representatives will
speak for their country, is rather the prob
lem of shortening the war than anything
else. Because the coalition against Ger
many. like all other coalitions, has been
unwieldy; because there has been lack
of unity, Of vision, Of purpose, Germany
has been able to prolong the war, and un-
/ less there is an improvement she may still
be able TO prolong the war. That she can
win the war is totally impossible so far as
the military side is concerned.
It would be we'll for our European
allies to understand how America feels.
Half a century ago we fought in Civil
War which, in many respects, resembles
the great European conflict Of to-day. We
think in terms Of the Civil War and we
perceive perfectly clearly that just as the
Civil War was decided by the two vic
tories of Antietam and Gettysburg, which
broke the offensive power Of the South, the
present war has been decided by the vic
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