New-York tribune., 1918-06-08

7
in Champagne gives time to deal
with one circumstance in recent
events which must be of utmost interest
to the people of the United States. We
have been told in the present week by the
French Premier that victory or defeat in
the battle for civilization now depends
upon America-and we are learning that
a beginning has been made by us on the
battlefield beginning of victory.
The conditions Of the last terrible Ger
man bid for military decision are now
clear to the whole world. The German
has succeeded in the fourth year of the
World War in bringing upon the decisive
Western front a superiority of men, of
guns and of method Thanks to the Rus
sian collapse, he has been able to concen-
trate between Lille and Verdun practi-
cally the whole of his nlan-power, as he
concentrated it in the months of August,
September and October, 1914.
Four years ago thes German strategy
was comprehended in the determination
to dispose of France before Britain could
aid much, or Russia, with her slower
mobilization, gravely threaten East
Prussia. This strategy was parried at
the Marne and completely blocked at the
User. Thereafter the German was COM
PEELED to transform his purposes and
adopt defensive in the West, while he
disposed of Russia in the East. AL
though he temporarily reversed his pro-
cedure during the Verdrn offensive, the
East kept him occupied until the close
of last year, when he did succeed in dis
posing of Russia and of Rumania
Left free to come West again, the Ger
man undertook the campaign of 1918
with the conditions and limitations of
the campaign of 1914 clearly in mind
His new foe now was America, and
America played the role which Russia
played nearly four years earlier. I'm
less he could dispose of France and Brit
ain before America had brought large
forces to the Western front, the German
would have to accept a permanent de-
fensive in the war, which meant the loss
of the war and complete economic ruin
after the end of the conflict
The essence Of the Germans strategy
in 1918, as in 1914, was therefore
speed He had, theoretically, eight
months this year, where he had but half
of that time in 1914, but he had before
him stronger forces than in the earlier
OF
prepared for his thrust He had. more
over, to face the fact that, win or lose.
the battle would impose a greater strain
upon German fnan-power than upon AL
lied, because Germany would have to
foot the whole bill, while France, Brit
ain and, to some extent, America would
divide the losses of the Allies. But as
draw meant ruin almost as complete as
defeat, the German had no choice
Now we recognize that the Allies did
not at once perceive the gravity of the
situation and failed to make the drafts
upon their own man-power which were
essential. They had too few men in line
when the German blow of March 21 fell.
and they have not been able to repair
the error as yet. On the other hand
now that three months have passed, new
calls to arms in Britain have raised large
numbers of men, considerable number
of whom will be available before the
present campaign ends. France, on the
other hand, can contribute no more than
she has; she has called up the totalitv
of her resourceS
On the assumption that America conId
put but few troops-less than a OMAR
ter of a million-into the furnace dur-
ing the campaign. Germany gambled m
a sure thing. Blow after blow was r.
be delivered, destroying the divisions On
the fronts attacked, abolshing the svs
tenn OF defence until the whole fror+ w.
dislocated and decisive, wide-swino;na
blow was possible-a colossal extars;.s
OF the Napoleonio method Of putting in