Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-06-17

studied this war question from the
1rst with careful analysis of its con-
iitions and my soul is exceeding
,orrowful" as | sec the situation Of
oday.
our friends opinion is as good as
ours. perhaps bctter-we do not
tnow-and we hope it is as comfort
ng 10 him as our confidence is to us.
I is true that the wisl OF man on
n, spot becomes the father to his
.eports." and also that there is no
md TO the credulity of man who
wants 70 be deceived.
We are not unfamiliar with the
writings Of Frank Simonds; he has
given us much comfort, and he has
tent our fond hopes into the dumps.
His knowledge of military affairs. of
he western front lighting ground,
md Of the forces confronting each
,ther there, is so far superior to our
,wu that We cannot even claim to
lave an opinion contrary to his-and
pet our guess as to the character
md time Of the end is as good as his
r that OF anybody else. Indeed. a
'ew months ago Mr.. Simonds was
convinced that the war could not
md under three TO five years, but
.ariy in 1918 he felt sure that this
Tpring drive" would be the last bat
lie and he gave logical reasons for
mch conclusion.
We have not attempted to over
tate the grounds on which our con-
idcnce is based-maybe it is a
'hunch"-but We have tried to pro-
luce calm analysis for our readers
hat might give some measure Of
comfort to tortured souls who hour
y pray for the end, and who grasp
,nly the news reports of considera BILE
md disl -arteninS gains by The en-
my. Very many of them have little
knowledge OF the character of the
country now being rcpiowed by gun
md she'll or of the forces at each
,ther's throats
We are not blinking at Germany's
,over or determination. her driving
orce or ability to shake up the allied
orces from front to rear. but base
,ur hope and confidence on the allied
outstanding Of strength and the I'M
,eniablv reckless waste of German
Electives We feel absolutely sure
hat these gains for which Germany
las paid SO dearly. must be greatly
increased II the enemy accomplishes
nNthinE that can be claimed as vic
orv And even our clerical friend
all admit that the day; of grace are
asst flying
Let Ms face the facts" but re-
member that the ailiei plan of de-
cnse (uplcss we have been lied to
Is previously as have the German
Dcoplc) is with the minimum in front
md the maximum as a hacker; while
he Tcuton defensive is to use every
mnce ~ force that is possible to as
.cmhc. in desperate determination
crush all before them-maximum
front and minimum in support.
This cannot always last. nor can
ne morale stand such strain in
definitely. Perhaps our friend has
deceived himself as badly on one side
rs nc thinks VIC have on the other.
ie should remember that the German
var masters are not seeking GAINS,
~. DECISION.
our confidence is based on the
french British Belgian ability to
PREVENT a decision until Uncle
sans boys and their equipment ar
i've. While Germany has amazed
he world with it's tremendous power
BEYOND all that we had believed pos
hble. yet also have the allied forces
reid beyond belief and are still hold
ng. are still full OF confidence and
Till claim 70 have a mighty reserve.
Shall we deny the existence OF
uch reserve. or deny our readers
he beneft of such reliance. for the
AXE Of bolstering a morbid belief
hat all IL lost? We refuse. and we