The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1917-11-23
ALLIES ARE IN NO WISE DIS
COUNTING ENEMY sTRENGTH
Thought That the Central Powers Viii
Co Through 1919 Campaign With
out Noticeable Weakening
FINAL RESULT DEvoLvES UPON
PATIENT WAITING


tions of the allies is that they are not
undertaking the power of Germany.
Nothing so weakens an army as to
discover that it has underestimated
the strength of its adversary. Appar-
emily this is a mistake the allied will
avoid.
It is announced that the inter-allied
conference about to sit in Paris will
proceed upon the theory that the CEN
trail powers will be able to go through
the 1919 campaign without any Sc
rious weakening. This does not mean
that in 1919 they will reach the ulti-
mate limit of their endurance; it
means only that they can weather the
campaigns of next year and the year
following without danger of collapse
from food shortage or internal trou-
bles. 1t means that if vital defeat
is to be administered during the next
two years, the allies must overcome
the full strength of the German fight
With the opening OF next spring, a
terrific allied onslaught is expected to
take place on the western front, and
into this conflict the allies will hurl
all the strength they can muster
American troops will be in the trench
es, American aeroplanes will hover
ever the battle lines and American
ships will carry food and supplies.
There are many people. including mil
itary officers, who are hopeful that
this spring offensive will be decisive;
that blow will beadministered to the
enemy which will clear the way for
peace negotiations.
But the allies are not depending
upon any such outcome. They are pro-
ceeding upon the assumption-an as
sumption adopted by the great major
ity of army experts-that the central
powers will be able to resist this on
slaught and hold its lines intact
against the assault If this happens,
the lighting will proceed during the
summer in more or less desultory
manner, it is believed, both sides
waiting for the winter during which
they can perfect their plans for the
opening of the campaign in the follow
ing spring.
How many springs will come and
go before decisive battle is fought
is problematical. and depends solely
upon the damage that each side is
able to infict upon the other.
1t is the part of prudence that the
United States is basing its prepara-
tions upon the assumption that the
war may continue for five years. Few
officials of the government expect it
to continue that long, but to make pre-
parations for shorter period would
be unwise. Thus this government
plans to put 100000 men in the
field, with provision made for enlist
ing as many more if neeaed.
So, too, with aeroplanes. A feet of
$4,000 machines is now provided for
and under contract, but it is announc-
ed that the aircraft production board
contempiates the building of at least
$4,000 machines after the first is com
pleted. Also. the limit of production
of ships is to be the capacity of the
shipyards of the country for an indefi-
mite period. Every ton OF shipping
that can be produced will be turned
out, until the necessity for them
ceases to exist.
It is especially encouraging that
the administration is building no
plans upon the hope or belief that
the people of Germany viii revolt
against the military autocracy of that
country and take the reins Of govern
ment into their own hands. That is
an eycntuality much to be desired
and vhich would quickly solve the
war problem, but the allies cannot de.
pend upon it in their preparations. Taa
views Of the United States, Britain
and France are idertical upon tn /,
point. All realize that the war lords
maintain the upper hand in the Ge~
man government.
T is the pars Of wisdom, ais Il
erase Russia in all calculations fol
the defeat of Germany. Drunk with
her sewfound freedom, Russia cannot
be relied apon to help fight the battle
of liberty. If some leader should be
able to bring order outof chaos there
and evolve strong competent gov
ernment, the whole allied cause would
be strengthened materially. But ne
dependence can yet be placed upor
this outcome.
No American citizen has any reason