Evening journal., 1918-07-27
BY J. W. II. MASON.
United Press War Expert.


Foch along the Marne following Amer
ica's frst cooperative engagements
with the Allies.
The turning point in modern civillza-
tion will probably be dated by future
historians from the year OF strife now
closing, because Of Americas resolve to
consent to no peace until the Hohen-
zollern menace to the world is crush
ed Despite the fact that American
troops have played only a minor part
in the years fighting, the United States
has pred0minantly Influenced the STRAIT
egy OF the fourth year Of the war. The
outstanding battlefield facts Of the year
have been Won Hlndenburg's maddened
efforts TO break the British and French
fronts, and General Foch's counter
policy Of patient defense.
II was fear Of Americas fast accumu-
latlng military strength that compelled
Won Hlndenburg to engage in his cam
paign OF ruthlessly sacrificing his own
troops; and It was the knowledge az the
overwhelming relnforeements America
was sending TO the Allies that permit
ted General Foch 10 see his lines driven
back, without loss OF morale to the
allied forces. Every major plan worked
out In Berlin as well as in the capitals
Of the allies this year, has similarly
been based fundamentally upon Amer
lca's forthcoming major activities in
the war.
The necessity for these plans was
fully justified at the first serious en-
counter between the Americans and the
Germans, which occurred eleven days
ago south OF the Marne, opposite Jaul-
gonne. Won 1Iindenburg's fifth often
sive was shattered by the American
counter attacks which forced the Ger
mans to retire to the north bank OF the
river. The American success was es-
peclally significant because 1t was the
first time American officers and men
had been tested IN the dlfllcult tactics |
Of counter assaults.
Following this early promise the |
Americans contributed similarly effec-
tive aid TO Gen. Foch's cautiously de-
veloped drives between the Alsne and
the Marne which are still proceeding
The American successes during the
year In Picardy and In the Chateau
sector, have been minor affairs,
regarded as isolated engagements. But,
all the victories OF Won Hindenburg In
Flanders, Plcardy and Champagne do
not compare in their ultimate conse-
quences with the promise 10 world de-
mocracy contained In the American op-
erations at Cantigny Belleau Wood and
Vaux.
Starting the fourth year OF the war
with arrogant threats to the allies OF
new changes in the map Of Europe un-
less the successes Of the German armies
are accepted as decisive, the German
government has ended the year by con-
Tossing that battlefield victories cannot |
bring peace. Foreign minister Won |
Kuhlman's pronouncement TO this ef-
feet in the Reichstag ranks second only |
TO Americas immense war preparations
as the years most significant event.
The reluctance OF the kalser's mllitar-
lists TO compel the resignation OF Won
Kuhlmann Immediately after his repu-
dlation OF the invlncibillty OF the Ger
man army i'm Indicative OF the sober |
Ing effect the presence OF million /
American troops I'm France is having
even on Won Hlndenburg.
Won Kuhlmann's eventual retirement
was desperate expedlent to stem a
lecllne in German morale due to his
'peech.
II is apparent that as the flfth year ,
Il warfare begins, the German leaders
re taking an increasingly grave view =
4 the situation facing them. They dare I
ot promise a decisive victory TO the 9
,alser's deluded subjects any longer.
he people OF Germany are being pre-
ared. in fact, for the assumption OF a 4
defensive role by Won Hin
enburg. This, although the fourth
ear Of conflict has seen Won Hinden- )
urg display an unprecedented degree
4 mower in offensive warfare, neverthe-
ass. the year ends with an admission !.
" the German government that Dy
hese means peace cannot be won In
hat fact is the certainty OF ultimate
sictory for democracy.
Affairs in Austro-Hungary during the
past year have been highly unsatisiac-
tory TO the Germans. The people OF Tue
dual monarchy have shown no graft
tude for the German assistance Whlch
permitted the Acknowledgements 10 re-
cover their lost territory in the lsonza
area and TO drive the Italians BACK 10
the Piave. Since the victory OF the
Central Powers in Italy, Austro-hun-
gary has become increasingly reluctant
to continue the war. Rloting mas oc-
Cured sporadicslly in Vienna ana
many other cities but as yet, nothing
suggesting a direct revolutionary sue
cess has occurred.
The Austro4Hungarians unquestion-
ably have become the most war weary
of all the peoples in the conflict dur
ing the past year. Hunger has plnched
them with special severity, largely De-
cause OF their lack OF capacity Tor Or
Fearful OF q collapse IN the
Hapsburg Empire, the German govern
ment has appeaseG the hunger rioters
by sending them food from Germany
own scanty store. This measure, now
ever, can only be temporary. When
Germany no longer is able to send grain
to Vienna, there will come an intensi-
flcation Of the strain that may compel
Austro-Hungary to drop out OF the war.
Russla's plight during the fourth year
Of the war has struck middle course
between the two usual channels OF
revolution. There has been no such
series of excesses that marked the reign
OF terror during the French Revolu-
tion. nor have events followed the or
derly. precedent OF the English revolu- ,
ton. Violence has prevailed among
the Russians, but their principal handi-
cap has not been a tendency toward
crime. IL has been a waive faith In for ,
mulas coupled with a chlidlike lack Of
education Nevertheless, the revolu-
tion, however faulty, gives fairer hope
for the future of Russia than con