The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-03-29
FATE Of BRITISH
EMPIRE IS At
STAKE IN BATTLE
WEEK OF GREATEST STRESS
ENGLISH PEOPLE HAVE
EVER SUFFERED.
NATION $ NERVE STRAINED
Battle on Too Great Scale Geo
graphically for Any One to Give
1t Name-Pacihsts Now Ram
pant for War.

PAM lOl wv
London, Thursday, March 2S.-I
The battle for which no one at
tempts to give a name because it is
on a scale too great for any geo
graphical designation began one
week ago this morning.
To say that it has been week OF
the greatest strain and stress that
the British people has ever known,
would be to make futile under
statement.
The fate of England, indeed OF the
whole British empire, has been com
mitted to the test of one clash OF
arms.
Everyone has realized this to the
depth OF his mind. The anxiety in
the rural districts has been even
keener than in the cities where the
frequent newspaper bulletins has
furnished the public with food for
discussion and speculation.
The most effective impression OF
the crisis has been the sweeping
aside OF all political factional dis
putes To-day there is only the unit
ed nation whose heart is with the
soldiers in France. The progress OF
the war had come to the level where
discussion of policies and personal
ity were consuming a considerable
part OF the peoples attention, and
particularly the attention of poll
ticianS. Today, however, the pacihst
journals have fallen into line with
the otiels. They have dropped
their criticisms OF the management
of the war and ceasd to talk OF
peace by negotiation.'
"Sideshows" Were Mistakes.
There are few suggestions that
the policy Of "sideshows'-meaning
diversions OF military strength to
distant fields like Mesopotamia and
Saloniki-have proven mistakes. Re
grets are expressed that those forces
are not in France.
There are feelings in come quar-
ters that General Sir William h.
Roberts, chief OF the eastern com
mand, whom many believe is the
country's ablest organizing general,
ought rather to be at the helm.
There are reminders also that
Redmond and Dillon might have
brought all the manhood OF Ireland
into the fighting ranks had they
been listened to.
But the general feeling is that the
errors OF the past should be forgot
ten and that the shoulders of all
should be put to this days work in
sofar as it can be done.
"Where Are the Americans"
An unknown factor in the battle
toward which the English people
are eagerly looking is the American
army in France.
"Where are the Americans !?
when are they coming in?" are
questions being asked everywhere
All the Americans in London are
being asked by their English friends
for answers to these queries.
America has been depended upon
to fill up the gap left by Russia. The
popular belief regarding the num-
Der Of American troops in France
probably is greatly exaggerated
Many believe there are a million or
even two million Americans already
on the European side of the ocean
and the actual weight of American
support is likely to prove sharp
disappointment,
Haig Has Great Problem.
Some criticisms that the British
official reports are lacking in details
meet little sympathy. The answer
is given that Field Marshal Haie
has problems to deal with which are
far more important than writing re.
ports, and that even the preparation
of messages of cheer and encour.
agement would be an unnecessary
intrusion upon his time.
The British people are patient
They know that their casualtie.
must be appalling as compared tC
all previous wars, but they Willingly
consent to delay in. the receipt o
these lists.