The Washington herald., 1917-12-16

States would favor the appointment of
a French general But 1t Is not
thought by British soldiers or politi-
clans. with a few distinguished ex-
ceptions, that such q course will ever
be advisable, because Of the danger
Of recrimination among the allies
should British, Italian or American
armies suffer defeat or disappoint-
ment as q result of alien leadership
The possibilities Of trouble, to the
profit OF the enemy. would be endless.
At present, the situation Is roughly
that the "Westerners" feel their op-
ponents have scored. The German
campaign in Italy has drawn allied
troops away from the main front;
they were compelled to go, It is
everywhere admitted, by considera-
tions Of honor. which must override
strategy. Accordingly the offensive
power Of Haig and Petain in Flanders
and on the Aisne has been temporar-
tally weakened, for American REIN
forcements are not ready to fill the
gaps. The temptation to decide to
transfer the main theater Of opera
tions to Italy and try to gain decisive
victories there Is one which the West
erners feel must be resisted. Enough
has been said on this very delicate
subject to indicate the key to all the
controversies Of the moment. To say
more would not be permissible. as II Is
the desire Of the allies to keep the
enemy guessing.
Leaders Are Quoted.
am able to give the opinions Of
three distinguished men upon the
allied war council which will illus
trate the divergent points of view
concerning the deeper questions un-
derlying the Versailles arguments
now banded back and forth. Lord
Sycenham, the great authority on
Notifications and artillery and A.
@. Gardiner, a distinguished London
editor. differ regarding the proposed
council. The third authority is an
Fastener whose name cannot be
given.
''There 10 no need for exaggerated
pessimisDl." said Lord Sydenham in
summing up the reasons why he
favors closer cooperation in mill
tary operations. But the facts or
the present situation must be per-
fectly recognized and met with s:ern
from won. Thanks TO the Russian
chaos. the central powers have gain
ed a great advantage, which must
react upon the future course Of opera
tions. Only the timely adhesion of
America to the cause Of the allies
could have compensated for what
has been lost. Only the splendid
fighting power of the sailors and
So1fharo hoa
relieve the somber picture which we
view today.
mfr. Lloyd George has, with per-
feet frankness. pointed out the root
causes of some of our failures.
History, and our own history especial
ly. abounds in instances of weakness
arising from what he described as
prejudice and suspicion which have
dogged the operations of allied
powers.
Concerted Action Needed.
'It is upon unity of effort, directed
with a single eye to the action best
calculated to bring victory to the
allies as a whole, that the future
depends. II the new war council,
with its international expert stan.
can be made into an effective instru-
ment for securing this object, We
may look forward with new conf
dence and hope.
Strategy rests upon great prin-
ciples as to which there is no dis
pute, but 1t is conditioned by con-
siderations Of force, movement and
time that may lead to opposing opin-
ions reconcilable only by study and
discussion. Such considerations are
inevitably more complex where sew
eral powers are involved than where
single power is acting independent
ly, and policy may-unfortunately but
inexorably-make demands which
pure strategy would reject. The ex-
pert STAFF officers, in touch with their
respective general STATS, from any
one OF which suggestions might have
emanated, would discuss any plan in
volving joint action and lay 1t, in
reasoned form, before the ministers
who must. in democratic countries,
be the ultimate deciding authority.
If the expert stan were in agree
ment. ministers could not well dis
regard their advice.
THE object of the proposed ar
rangement as Mr.. Lloyd George
stated is that an interally group of
highly trained officers should con-
tinuously study the operations Of war
as a whole. thus escaping overcon-
centration upon the aspect which
presents itself to their respective
armies. 1t is clear that this need