Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-09
NOT FOR FARLEY, BUT FOR
WAR

ITTlNNING the war. not parleying on
peace, is the appointed mission Of the
United States.
So the American commission which has
Just landed somewhere in Europe to par
tIcipate in grand council Of the Entente
Is a board of strategy, not a diplomatic
body not a legation Of high commission
ers for peace pourparlers, not a delega-
tlon primarily TO solve economic and
financial problems. important as these are
and certain as they are to be discussed
collaterally.
The very personnel of the War Com
missiou-the first from this country to
engage formally in the deliberations OF
the Entente-stresses the vital and right
ful fact that it is military and strategic,
not diplomatic Colonel House President
Wilson's unofficial ambassador to bel
ligerent Europe before this nation entered
the war against autocraCy. heads it, and
his associates include Admiral Benson,
Chief OF Naval Operations. and General
TasBer II. Bliss. Chief of staff of the
United States Army. The United States
Shipping Board. whose task is to fill the
seas with vessels despite U.boat depre.
cations: the Priority Board, in charge of
exports and IMPORTS the War Trade
Board the Food Administra tion, and other
extraordinary bodies summoned into eN
istence on account of the war and to win
the war are represented by high officials,
Scanning of this list is all that is
needed TO discover the fundamental pur.
pose of this commission to show that
battle to victory is its slogan. to empha-
size. If new emphasis were needful. that
the United States is in substance and in
spirit firmly fixed in the determination to
smash Prussianfsm and TO consummate
its Chief Magistrates ideal, and its hum
blest patriots ideal. of making the world
safe for democracy The character of
the representatives selected shows lndis.
putably that the Administration has sufe-
guarded and foreguardedt against this
nations becoming INVOLVED in any dis
cussion Of peace terms or political issues.
Prosecution of the war to successful
issue is not alone the labor of the armies
In the field and the navies riding the
seas. but especially the grave responsi.
bility of the statesmen and strategists
Who formulate modes Of action. methods
Of tactics and guidance OF campaigns.
There have been great councils before.
but this in which America will engage
, win be world war conference probably
the most important in all history II,
duty is marked out, its responsibility is
profound and its constructiva services
may harvest the fruit OF ultimate triumph
for the ideals of universal freedom in be.
half Of which the Allies are pouring out
money, material resources energy and
man-power.
SlknHcaht ana sensational events will
come from this war council. Scrutiny of
the war map will indicate the offensives
and defenses which are to drive Prussian-
Ism even from Potsdam Assembly and
study Of the fresh factors which have
DEVELOPED in the newer phases of the con.
fiict will solve perplexing issues of
finance, food, fuel. munitions The posi-.
ton OF the armies which the United
States is preparing win be established
rs the prime fact OF the strategy Of the
fourth Year Of the war Complete ellmi.
nation OF the waning ruthless submarine
campaign Is to be devised. The moot
question Of whether the United states
can, or should. speed provisions and
sQulpment 20 lis allies already In the
tssd rather than utilize what is in hand
ipr national armies and other forces the
cpnpcii win debate and settle; possibly il
Win decide on the former plan and trust
% slie American people to care for the
|atter BY new sacrifices ana intenser
sReFey Itaiyg Russia? What OF them?
4he eounel must decide
out Of iss deliberations victory is
e|feady foresesn