New-York tribune., 1918-05-05
War in the New Dimension

War in the New Dimension
Tremendous vistas are opened by Lord
Robert Cecils observation to the news
papers on Friday that:
eff they 1.-THE Germansl once really es-
tablish themselves in Russia, there is no
reason why they should not fight the
whole world forever
1t is evident now that the World War
may develop into perhaps the strangest
struggle since the Saracenic invasion of
Europe from Spain.
The tactics of German imperialism
are clear. First of all, as Lord Robert
Cecil says, the main thing is to "induce
its own people to carry on the war from
week to week and month to month in the
belief that peace is almost in sight, until
it's Russian plans are matured." The
English statesman goes on to suggest
that the great Western offensive, the
,Lichnowsky revelations, the recent Off
cal tribute to the bravery Of the British
troops and the now promised peace
offensive" are all part of farreaching
plan.
A strange destiny has ruled recent
events.
The Russian collapse did not represent
a great victory for German armies; it
was simply the most amazing windfall
that ever befell any modern nation in the
throes of war. Even Napoleonic luck
never knew its like.
oF Il;
of the richest and most highly developed
part of Russia industrially, there famed
up, naturally, in the German soul-sick
with three and half years of the ter
rife struggle-.a violent lust of conquest.
Forgetful that, save in it's Italian cam
paign, it had won no single victory over
any troops of the nations of Western
Europe, the German mind suddenly re-
turned to the thought that it might be-
come the Roman power of to-day. The
spirit of pan-Germanism surged nightly.
The high command may we'll have
known that the Western wall could not
be broken, but the German people did
not know Therefore, the great often
sive in the West is undertaken, may we
now believe, simply as preliminary to
another peace move, which will be re-
jected by the Allies? Thus the German
people will be convinced that successful
stroke of armies in the West is not pos
sible, and at the same time that they
must continue the present struggle or
give up their present gains.
Pan-Germanism, therefore, may turn
its face to the East, and what rosy prom
ises are there! Germany has added to
it's own 70 millions the 80 millions of
Austria and the 80 millions or more of
Bulgarians and Turks-say, roundly,
group of $50 millions
The German war machine, by one of the
most singular debacles in history. falls
heir, practically, to the huge territories
of Russia, containing $50 millions more.
In organizing and consolidating this new
territory there will be much friction,
doubtless revolts, counter revolutions
and the like. But recent events in the
Ukraine reveal clearly enough the Ger
man intent and the crushing force Of the
German heel.
There is perhaps little likelihood thac
the military strength of Russia and Po-
land will be added to that of the Teutonic
allies, but Germany's great need is in
dustrial. If it can now command the
food, the coal, iron and other products of
100 millions of people, it can keep it's
own armies in the field, and behind the
Western barrier which these impose it
can build up the most powerful and the
most populous commercial alliance the
world has ever known.
Consider the menace of vast military
empire with the industrial strength and
productive force of 800 million souls, and
reflect on what it may mean for the fut-
ure peace Of the world!
Have we been blind to the possibility
which Lord Robert Cecil now sets forth
so clearly?
The balance between East and West is
upset. Western civilization has been be-
trayed by the Teuton. He is unique, be.
longing to no civilization but his own.
which is abominable. The Western ma
tions face the strangest crisis of their
existence. 1t behooves them to summon
heroically all of their resources, espe-
cially those, if any, which will give them
power Of offensive which the Germans
cannot achieve in kind or rival in degree.
Are there such resources? Happily,
yes.
1t is within the resources Of the Allied
nations, mainly one, to carry the war into
new dimension and keep it there.
War in the air is still thing we talk
OF without having really the Imagination