Morris tribune., 1917-07-06
Simonds Indicates a Four-Year War

Looking at the situation as stands, with the
third anniversary of the struggle in sight, it seems to
me that every sign points toward four-year war We
shall continue to pleased by the optimistic reports
that those who sympathize with liberalism give
us But there very for believing that
these reports do the extent of the Russian
collapse Actually Allied has been deprived
of not less 1900 900 soldiers, who organized
and commanded by brilliant generals Discipline in these
armies has been destroyed, temporarily at least
This collapse has given Germany chance to utilize
the troops that otherwise would have been
contained and fully occupied in the East 1t has given
her another years supply of men for the West Her
condition of this time if she does not win
victory or peace, than before, but this
is future consideration Today she is better off, be-
cause she has divisions to draw upon.
A complete collapse Of Russia and the signing of
separate peace between Germany and Russia will only
make the situation worse. Then I firmly believe the
outcome of the will depend upon the number OF
hundreds thousands of the United States can put
the front by this time next year Beyond
next year the war 60 During next year Germany
will collapse economically, militarily all if the
struggle prolonged This is the common assertion of
the Germans themselves who do not dream that the
| Allies can continue the into next year.
But everything that happened in the past month
has emphasized the Importance Of the American role
in the war. Russia returns to the attack, we
ready year to make up the deficiencies in
French man-power and with the British continue the
pounding and grinding up of German man-power until
|
onsrae the downfall of her military caste and leave
the world in some sense protected against renewal of
the German attack.
Writing here for readers to whom have been talk
ing nearly years think it would be folly
pretend that the present situation in Europe favor
able viewed from the point of GermanAmerican con-
test That Russia, Britain, and France could conquer
Germany AUSTRIA with Italy neutral allied with
the western powers, I doubted. With Russia in
the the end this year would be assured. But the
| of a alliance against
! Germany which only be filled when ready
may fatal to all if not ready before too
many months.
It may be that Germany will collapse from starva-
before the middle of August brings harvest.
1t may be that the German Socialists will compel the
government to make peace the basis of surrender
but believe either thing will happen. 1t may be
that Russia will attack and Brusioff victory like
that year, will restore the balance doubt
it. Equally t-founded to German claims that
they will win the by their submarine campaign.
Many months will pass before the British people
hungry the German has been for than year.
And in this time the German situation is hardly likely
to improve much.
When American troops begin to arrive in large num-
bers in Europe believe the Germans will that the
game is up, and not before unless Russia back.
Until the German that the game up
they will and their present expectation of victory
has put to all chance of disintegration due to
domestic discomfort Kitchener's estimate of three
year based a belief that Russia would con-
tinue.
With Russia out it seems to that there be
escape from fouryear PERIOD unless America fol-
lows the Russian example fails partthen
II think peace by negotiation will before next
spring and leave Germany in possession of the
fruits of her campaigns and not mprobably in possession
of that Mteleuropa which would be but the basis
for campaigns of conquest to complete the work
already begun the work that to give Germany world
power and world domination.-From "An Ominous
Month of War;" by Frank H. Simonds in the American
Review of Reviews for June, 1917