New-York tribune., 1918-08-04
Asquith Sees ide of War
uming in Favor of Allies
ormer Premier in Review Of Four Years of Conflict De-
nounces German Policy of Aggrandzement and Heralds
America Predomnatng Factor in Great STRUGGLE

LONDON, Aug 3.-Convic.ion that
the balance OF, war now tends to the
side of the Entente Allies was ex-
pressed to-day in a statement by for
mer Premier Herbert II. Asquth re-
viewing the four years of Great Brit
aims participation in the war, dating
from August 4. 1914 The beginning
Of the fifth year, Mr.. Asquith pointed
out, reveals Germany still impenitent
and in fall pursuit of a policy of ter
ritorial and economic Aggrandizement,
with which, he said, I'VE can make no
terms"
Declaring that America promises to
become a predominating factor in the
war, Mr.. Asquith said the Allied ma
tions of Western Europe owe to her
double debt of gratitude.
Mr.. Asquith's statement follows:
THE fourth year Of the war has wit
messed the renewal on the largest scale
of the enemy's offensive. The disinte-
grafton Of Russia enabled the Central
Powers TO concentrate all their
strength on supreme effort TO de-
stroy the armed power Of the Western
Allies. Last October at Caporetto they
sprang a surprise upon Italy and sue
ceeded in forcing back her troops from
the frontier to the line Of the Pave.
On March p Of this year they opened
an attack upon the Allied armies in
France with the object Of driving a
hot H.,
occupying the Channel ports and the
French capital.
Enemy's Progress Stayed
Thanks to their temporary super-
ority both in numbers and in position
they won at the outset conspicuous
successes. But as the spring and
summer advanced the enemy's progress
alike on the road to Amiens, at the
Lys and at the gate Of the Disc was
stayed by the well directed valor of
the Allied troops. In June the Aus
trians attacked in Italy on a front of
nearly one hundred miles, only TO be
driven back with heavy losses to their
original line.
"1n July, after long pause for
preparation, the German Crown Prince
was let loose TO capture Rheims and
to turn the flank OF the defences Of
Paris. We are still witnessing the de-
velopments OF this ill-managed adven
ture, and without undue optimism
may say the balance now leans to
the side of the Allies, who have mas
tered the new German methods and
whose strength, owing to the partlc
patton Of American troops, IS daily
and steadily increasing.
From military point Of view It
campaign in the West, staked every
thing upon the combined success Of
this series of operations on land and
OF the submarine war at sea. She was
promised by her high command com
plete and final victory before the sum
mer was over, provided her people
would consent TO large further ex-
penditure of human life. The toll has
been paid and perhaps exceeded, but
it is now manifest that the promise
has not been and cannot be made
good
Allies Control Seas
"The struggle Is not only in the
aeld. The Allies, in virtue Of their
trade routes Of the world and ali the
worlds chief supply grounds Of raw
materials. The German feet is sealed
up in practical impotence and the en-
pire's naval effort, after twenty years
of ambitious and costly preparation, is
confined to the sporadic activity of its
submarines.
'The decisive weapon in war nas
often been found and is likely to be
found again in economic pressure.
When countries were self-supporting
this was made effective by the defeat
of their armies, the occupation of their
territory and the consequent paralysis