New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-07
Opinions Differ on lmpor-
lance of World League
or No Compromise
Would Make Position
Clear to Germany
Social Revolution or Mill.
tary Destruction Her
Only Alternatives
By Arthur S. Draper
Especial Gable to The Tyibunc)

copyright. 1918. by The Tribune Associatlon)
LONDON. July Gin every quarter
the Mount Vernon speech of President
Wilson wins high praise as a war docu-
menr. The British press seems divided
as to whether the Presidents declara-
ton that there can be no peace with
the Hohenzollerns or his description
of his league of nations plan is tho
more important.
The Northcliffe group and the con-
servative organs generally place en-
phasis on the uncompromising tone of
the speech, while ignoring his suggest
ed solution Of the aftcr-war problem.
On the other hand, the Liberal news
papers say little regarding the former
point and welcome his precise definition
of the idea of league of nations.
The Evening Standard" and "Globe"
think the government should take
opportunity to confirm early adher-
ence to the main issue of war as the
President sees it. The former says:
1T is time to enlighten the Germans
be told plainly that if they are to re-
main great power they must bring
forth the fruits. We have often said
the only possible termination of the
war for Germany is domestic revolu-
ton or military destruction The al
tentative should be put before the
German people plainly and consistently
by the Allied statesmen"
Recession from Pre-War Ideas
"The Westminster Gazette" consid-
crs the Presidents plan to mean COM
plete recession from 1.-The prc-war con-
ceptions of sovereignty among all ma
tons and the absolute antithesis of the
state doctrine which has been preached
and acted upon in Germany since the
beginning Of the last century"
In contrast to the clear words of the
President, spoken in the midst of
peaceful surroundings, the present
SITUATION in Germany seems striking.
how much uneasiness, uncertainty and
friction in the German political ma
chine is camoufage, how much it is in
dicative of the true feelings Of the
people, it is difficult to say, but close
students of Germany's internal life be-
lieve considerable belief can be placed
In the reports Of dssension.
kuehlmann continues to be the storm
centre of the Socialists, both the ma
Jority and minority parties using his
pessimlstlc speech as a weapon against
the Junkers. But, unfortunately, the
Junkers still have very much power.
and there must come turn in the
military tide before the Socialists can
hope to make Roadway.
The upper classes still believe con-
fdently in the army's ability to win a
victory. They still support the policy
Of force. They still back the military
autocrats. And the masses, if they are
ready to abandon force, are impotent.
Fresh Divisions Behind Lines
The Kaiser is extremely clever in
keeping before the people and in turn
ing the Allied political weapons to his
own advantage, but Ludendorff must
achieve a mightier deed than he has
yet accomplished before the first snow
falls. Many fresh divisions are now be-
hlnd the lines, and the German army
has had three weeks of comparative
rest.
Although minor operations of the
Allies on the Somme, Asne and Lys
and the terrific aerial attacks have af-
fected Ludendorf's plans. there seems
no reason why he should delay his at
tack longer. These local operations are
really large scale raids, and should
have given Foch highly valuable infor-
nation as we'll as strengthened his de-
fenslve positions.
The British, French and Americans
have penetrated far into the enemy's
positions and learned whether he is
preparing for attack or defence.
incidentally, the British join with
the French in giving high praise to the
Americans, who handled themselves
wonderfully we'll in the Sommc opera
tions.
The American staff work was sur
prisingly good, according to those who
are best able and qualified to Judge.
Ludendorf will not underestimate
the first million Americans. Capclle
will cot find much comfort in the fig
ures given out by Sims and Schwab.
The Kaiser will not appreciate the
Presidents illusions to arbitrary
power"
There have been many crises in this
war and many months when the margin
between victory and defeat was ex
tremely small. But the greatest crisis
of the last four years will come this
summer or fall. The Allied hopes run
strongly now, and the enemy ap
proaches a crisis more anxious even
than the Allies faced this spring.
The strong and sure lead of the
American Executive and the gallant and
even brilliant fighting of the American
boys is steadying and buoying the AL
lied peoples and worrying the enemy.