The Washington herald., 1918-04-15
The Acid Test.

The critical turn of events in Flanders has
stripped the last excuse for self-deluson in the
United States or in any other nation whose future
is involved in the challenge which autocracy has
flung down to the world. Only four weeks ago
the allied peoples basking in multitude OF
comfortable, secure platitudes usually based on
such phrases as superior resources, superior man
power, superior aircraft and gun power"
Now at the showdown, at the crisis OF the
-war VIC are faced with the amazing situation that
the enemy can match for man, gun for
gum the Western 'front.' can concentrate his
forces against the weakest parts OF the line with
such skill as to make almost unprecedented gains
in terrain, and to threaten the integrity of the
whole front; can sacrifice human life on an abso-
lutey unheard-of scale with equanimity apparently
secure in his belief that he has ample reserves to
meet any counter attacks that may be offered him.
Only three weeks ago the allied line dan
gerousIy near a rupture and Amiens the key
point in Picardy, saved just in the nick OF
time. Now an even greater faces the
British. The peril involved in the steadily increas
ing pressure in the offensive in Flanders cannot
be exaggerated. The Germans today not far
from the railroad system running from the Channel
ports southwark. The evacuation OF any of
haf-dozen points these roads will involve moth
ing less than widespread withdrawal OF the whole
British line between Arras and Nieuport. 1t will
strip OF Northern France With the Boches furi-
ously pressing their assault from the flank we'll
as from the east, the British would have Ito fight
to the last man" in all truth to avoid being dumped
into the deep blue 1t is a death-grapple that
Witnessing. The message of Field
Marshal Hag to his troops is not theatrical
rhetorical, but the literal truth. There is no
strategic retreat open to the British now. Tho
only strategic retreat" conceivable is back to
md cir wit
the OF battle, with France alone left battle
for the liberty of the world.
This is the situation What, in the language
OF the in the street. is the answer.
For thing, British power clearly is
lar below what the world thought it was-for
what reason it is impossible 10 tell. Irish con-
scription is being debated in the house OF
while the empire is being rocked by an earth
quake. Theoretically. Britain and France together
ought to be a match and more than a match for
any group OF armies that Germany can assemble
in the West, with Russia out OF it. Actually,
Germany is meeting them man for man. and more
than meeting them when it comes to superior gen
eralship based on unity OF command.
How clear the for the offensive against
Italy OF last autumn stand forth now! Not only
has Italian power been palsed, helpless even to
start the mi4dest kind OF flank fire on the cen
trail empires, but the dire necessities OF Italy per
suaded the British to Withdraw an entire army
the Second-irom the Flanders front last Novem-
ber thus creating weak spot OF which the Ger
reaping the fullest advantage. That
army did the needed work of checking the Austro-
German drive the Asiago Plateau. but how
badly it is needed now along the line which is not
only the frontier OF freedom" but the bulwark OF
the OF civilization
Another point is this-the United States today
could have far greater army in the field if the
gravity OF the situation had been properly appras-
ed in allied councils months ago There seems to
be no reason for believing that the American gov
ernment is solely responsible for the delay. Indeed
it is stated that the program OF transporting
troops was drawn up by the French and British
governments themselves. and that there never has
been any official suggestion. until recently that the
sending of American forces abroad be "speeded up"
by the ALLEGATION OF shipping which the allies de-
sired to use for other purposes Therefore it is
vain to rail at officials for the regrettablc
inability OF the nation make itself felt at this
critical period Of the war-more than year since
we declared war Germany.
In fact, it is fair to assume that neither Great
Britain nor France appreciated the true gravity OF
the until the avalanche was upon them There
has been laundering somewhere.