Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1918-05-18
WHEN SHALL AMERICANS FIGHT?

WHEN SHALL AMERICANS FIGHT?
It is outside our province to discuss the rela-
tive merits Of the sides in the question as to the
time when the American forces shall be en-
poyed on the battle front in service of intensity
equal to that Of the other Allied soldiers. Back
home our problem is almost exclusively one of
furnishing those soldiers and the equipment
which goes with the units in order that their
use may be possible when the proper time
comes.
But one thing is very significant, even in the
face of the discussion of the most strategic use
Of our soldiers: both sides agree that there is
to be at some time an American complement Of
fighters which will be a complete and mighty
force There is no question as to what is being
expected in that direction: the discussion has
been only upon the use of this force. The force
of necessity, is assumed to be either in exist
ence now or to be coming into existence with a
certainty which can now be counted upon for
assistance in the battles which are to come
And so far as the folks back home are concern
ed, that is the only phase of the question in
which we are really interested
One other thing is plain from the discussion
of our force the plans which are being laid
are plans to cover considerable length of
time. The group of strategists who have held
for the deferred employment of our Army would
have been without any foundation if there had
been no possibility of prolonged fight Their
proposition would have fallen flat because it
would have been pure theory But even those
..olding for a gradual but immediate employ
-nent of the forces admit, if in no other way
than by their silence, that the war is far from
ended as yet. And again, so far as we at home
are concerned, that is all which is of real in
terest to US.
The Allied strategy tit is hardly strategy any
longer because it is entirely open for inspection.
even by their opponents, as it develops itself
more and more plainly is one which commends
the highest respect and confidence The Allies
plan to win by allowing Germany to defeat her
seif,-and Germany is doing it. The Allies hold
1ast,-and Germany wears her manhood down
to the very quick by sacrificing men by the hun
dreds of thousands-and does not reach her OBJ
7ective. Germany has been drained of her men,
young md old,-and Germany is face to face
now with the stark necessity of winning or los
lng,-lt must be one or the other. And not
even trunlped-up death report of Hindenburg
could gloss over the defeat which must reach
the attention of the German people in the end
Not the least commendable thing about the
Allied strategy is that it conserves its men
Tor what purpose we are not to say. Perhaps
Tor an oftensive,-mighty in extent and mighty
IN power,-to follow when the German power
Is at low ebb. Perhaps it is only for the sake
OF maintaining a reserve which can be held al
ways alert and ready to threaten a German
lunge. Perhaps it is for the principle of the
conservation of humanity, to release these men
after the war is over and turn them back to
ther peaceful pursuits. Whatever the purpose
II IS beyond criticism Just so long as the Allied
supremacy is not endangered, the human side
OF the equipment may we'll be saved at all costs.
Money we can and will give without stint: men
we can and will give without stint if necessary /:
but we pray that it may not be necessary to
give the second
y