Evening star., 1918-05-18

the western front while the Russians
were expected to make the offensive
which was to win the war. This plan
failed with the collapse of Russia's 8
military machine.
The second phase was that of eco
nomic and military attrition. with the
emphasis on the economic aspect
Germany was encircled. and though
Russia was not fighting. she helped
for a time to complete this circle OF
enemies, and it was expected that
Germany would be brought to her
knees by lack of food. supplies and a
gradual wearing down of her man
power.
Programs Efficacy Weakened.
Germany broke through this encir-
cling barrier with the political break
down of Russia and the peace pact OF
the bolsheviki. The program was not
was weakened.
Phases of this economic warfare are
to be found in the rapid development
of war trade boards in allied nations
Of blockading efforts and rationing OF
neutrals. Thus 1t was hoped to bring
Germany to about the same predica-
ment that marked the downfall Of the
Confederacy in the civil war.
Meanwhile the United States enter
ed the war. BY that time, it was
pointed out today, the allies were
committed definitely to the western
front policy. Through German domi-
nation of other fields of activity. and
now through her assumption of the
offensive in her spring drive, Ger
many has forced the war to be fought
there. Up to now 1t has taken the
fv,1 a nt IA oil 70 1A1 "a
lines in France and Belgium.
The one rift in this program was
the spectacular operation of Gen
Cadorna last summer in Italy. Fol-
several months before the Italians
were driven back from the advances
they made in series of brilliant
drives. the Italians clamored for al
lied aid. urging the possibilities OF
smashing into Austro-Hungary and
position that Germany was able to
put Russia
"Hindsight" strategists.
British military critics now are
ment for not needing Italy's call. But
1t is pointed out that none of these
critics was heard from before the
Italians were pressed back. Most Of
them seemed to be the hindsight
strategists with which England has
been particularly afflicted.
Now has come the time, and 1t is the
first time during the war. military
critics here believe. that the allies are
able to look forward confidently to
do more than defensive work on the
western front. With the arrival of
American troops in sufficient numbers
to build up formidable reserve. and
with these troops trained to open
fighting as we'll as the trench fight
Ing into which many veterans of
European fields have fallen through
the routine of three or four years,
fiicting blow on the kaiser's mill
tary machine.
American Army Officers believe this
Is Gen. Foch's plan. The Germans
now are preparing for q gigantic
drive. II they are willing to stake
their last card on this drive. and If
1t fails. then there is seen the pos
sibility that Germany may be so
weakened that the rest may be easy,
Await German Drive.
If Germany holds back on her next
drive and prefers a series of ofren-
sives there Is high confidence that
the allies can sustain these blows
and by the time the German force
ments brought not only from the
United States. but from England,
will be ready with every show Of
success to deal the blow that will
mark the first direct. concerted and
premeditated effort to crush the
kaiser's army.
In these two alternatives lies the
answer to the question: How are
the allies going to win this war?"
Now that the allies have pooled their
resources. their industrial and mill
tary strength. with the sole purpose
no reason for not explaining the dis
tinction they make between the
statement that America will help to
make it possible to achieve a military
victory. and the more generally
prevalent idea that America is going
Even II America raised five or six
million men. they argue. that num-
Der cannot be transported to France
before fall. Only fraction Of them
can be sent.
Instead it seems to them that the
just what they are doing. sending
American troops as fast as they can
he carried over seas. and also send
ing more British and Italian troops to
France to cooperate in the supreme
effort.
In other words. pleasing as the
thought Is to Americans that the
States Is taking over the bur-
den of the war. that thought neither
Is complimentary to the allies nor is
1t sensible.
No Slowing Down.
It implies that the allies are slow
ing down because we are speeding up.
Such is not the case. and one effect
of recent closer coordination of MILL
tary and Industrial effort has been
to carry out this speeding up Process
all along the lipe:
The combatant force OF Great Brit
ain has not been vofled in secrecy as
has that of France. 1t is believed
here that a statement printed in a
Spanish periodical substantially is
correct. This summary gives the
British combatant strength on Jaau-
ary 1, 1918. at 100000 men. OF these
I 4,630,o00 were from England. 620.000
from Scotland. 2s0,0Q0 from Wales.
10000 from Ireland, and 9o0.o .ooo. from
the colonlss.