Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-11
Tuesday, December II, 1917.
. Time For Courage-At Least For
Hope.

t.inc the trembling voice OF "o-
m,n. Isn't there anything en-
,ouraging in the war news this
morning" We replied that con-
tragy to earlier reports the Germans
Had not broken through the Italian
line. and that the forces Of Italy backed
hy the reinforcemcnts sent from
Franc" and England were still holding;
that tho inevitable revolution in Russia
was in progress. and that while the al
d.. o"u'd not safely count upon assist
3f,. rom the great nation which en-
,,icd the war with them yet the cen
uai allies neither can count upon ~e-
g. wing aid in men. supplies or NUM-
tluus from the vast fields to the north
and east
In themselves these two facts were
somewhat reassuring to the inquirer,
whose son is in France or on the way,
tut q more careful scrutiny Of all the
conditions at this time may give cause
for greater encouragement to those
who have been hoping that the end Of
the war might come before Christmas,
or at least before the opening Of spring
Let us look at some of the facts that
are not as discouraging as the pessi-
mistic make out from the cold PROPOSE
ton OF desperate Austro German Of
fensive in Italy, and the prospect OF
desperate attack at an early date upon
the French and British line between
switzerland and the channel.
Perhaps our chief reason for optim-
ism in the present critical hour, lies in
the fact that Germany is making such
desperate cndeavors to strike a decis.
i've blow against her enemies at this
time. For at this season all military
activities are executed only with the
Utmost OF suffering and endeavor, in
cold and snow and over frozen ground
with the still greater danger Of an
ertaking debacle in the mountains Of
Austria and Italy. That Germany
should be relentlessly driving her own
forces, and those OF Austria Hungary
down through the Alps with continued
reckless slashings at the enemy in
front OF her, in endeaVor to reach the
plains OF Nenetia. proves good ground
for the claim that the war masters are
taking tremendous chances in the hope
OF crushing Italy. and thus releasing all
their forces for the west front before
the weight OF Americas military blow
shall be felt in the spring.
II would seem to be the hour Of des-
peration for the war masters At no
time since the war began have the
German and Austrian forces shown
such mad desire for a decision of
some sort as at the present time-a
time when all the world is aware that
both powers have passed the maxi
mum in men and munitions strength.
II Is also time that would have wit
messed collapse Of Austria Hungary
hut for the turn of affairs in Russia,
and the assistance Of her German al
lies in driving the Italians back into
their own territory. The courage of
the forces OF the central allies and the
hope of the people Of those countries.
having been raised by the swing of
events III the last two months, The
Kaiser seems determined to make the
most of it while it lasts, and either win
or lose before the inevitable backward
swing of the pendulum of fate within
the next few weeks or months
without question, the war masters
arc aware OF the accommodating strength
IN men and munitions against them,
despite the loss of Russia, and the DOS
Sibility that Rumania. too, will fall in
with the uncertain line of Slavic use
lessness. II the Austro- German forcos
Gould crush the Italian line of defense
and get down into supporting territory
heyond the reach Of the hand of win
ter. they could then entrench and relv
upon defensive warfare until spring
should open the passes of the Alps.
But something decisive must be effect
cd before winter actually sets in Or a
source not even considered a month
ago. 4 great Austro-German army
caught by winter on the far side Of the
Alps with a we'll supplied and deter
mined army in front of them, to shut
them off from food and munitions
might spell Overwhelming disaster for
the great force now cambled b. the
war masters of Prussia.
On the other hand. OF course IL Ger.
many could win victory against the
west front. as decisive as that accom-
plshed by General Byng against
her, it would give tremendous en-
couragement to the people at home
as we'll as to the officers and
men Of the allied cause. If they
CANNOT bring about on either
front a decisive victory. then all these
plunges will have come to naught. the
central allies will have suffered griev-
Gus losses in both campaigns, and the