The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-19

do not believe that Germany can be.
beaten in a military way They
are whispering their misgivings about
and wondering how soon the country
Wlil come to an acceptance Of the same
we" and concentrate attention upon
a political offensive as an instru
ment of ending the war There is too
much talk i'll the national capital about
the menace that turks in the recall
cItrancy of labor and about the al
ieged Impossibility OF winning the war
unless the unions viii come to terms.
Some chicken hearted officials even sug-
gest the possibility of q duplication
IN America Of the existing anarchy in
Russia unless traitors III our midst are
piacated and persuaded to do their bit.
/ These sinister signs OF the times are en-
countercd by those whose business
sends them to the national capital at
frequent intervals, and the same signs
are tucked away between the lines of
Washington dispatches They indicate
reluctance at their source 10 realize
that we cannot 20 to war without
bIoodshed and that the war cannot be
won with words
Among those who are most pessimis-
tle over the prospect Of defeating Ger
many in the field indifference or
Gelgned optimism runs rampant in re-
gard to the progress alleged 10 have
been made by the United States 'sin
a military way. They pretend to SEQ
behind every criticism of the conduct
OF the war an unpatriotic motive, and
they depIore the blunt manner in which
men OF the standing OF Mr. Taft are
lEs4atlng that we are at war with
the German people as well as with the
German government But they are
apparently much less concerned over
the degree Of rapiditv and efficiency
with which the nation is organizing 10
XIII Germans than they are over the
probability OF the adoption by con
gress at an early date of system of
universal training. They are talking
about peace and thinking about peace.
and the sum Of their talk and their
thoughts is not conducive to stimulat
ing the war activity of those with
whom they come in contact In short
Washington seems to be sending ont
or world consumption TODAY mucb
NNr'4" t4At ditclbI ItNDiujlO0 III
Germany than actual war-making in
he United States The effect of This
mphasls is bad on this side Of the Al
lahtlc and worse on the other. Pro
les5or McElroy of Princeton. in an adj
dreSs at Ford hall Last night, told of
he receipt Of a letter within a fev-
lays from distinguished American
historian living III France who has
raVeled and spoken widely among the
treneh throughout their. glorious strua
re, and therefore knows France and
renth sentiment He declares >
aud Professor McElroy, . that through
out that gallant republicans ally
he word - freely passing that Amer
"a does not intend to fight. -
The paeiiicism that permeates the
III o. Washington today is in part re-
'ponSlble Tor the suspicion of America
nat has begun to creep over France
ma Will soon find its way into Great
britain We have not realized their
expectations or our own in regard to
ne contribution we have made to date
0 the lighting forces on the western
roAt. Senator Weeks in his able ad
lfeSG III the senate YESTERDAY declares
nat the number of troops in Europe
IS exactly 81 per cent of the number
nat would have been there on Feb. II
4 Secretary Baker s authorizations had
cen realized = Authorizations which
we're expressed to the senator in con
CESSATION with the secretary on Oct
last. We boosted through the sDrinp
tAd early summer that the first incre ,
nent OF the National armv-6s7 600
aeh- would DO in camp UNDERGOING
raining on Sept. |, last. That mum
'eF Il not IN camp today, and the last
l.o'f OF the first increment will not be
5ll - arrive in camp until one week
autumn and early winter that the sec |
rom today. We boosted through the
ohd increment Of the National army
more than 10000 men-would begin 70 |
tfflVe n camp on or before Feb. X |
We hear today that it will be June or
aief before the calling Of the second |
increment begins So 1t goes, colossal |
fomlAaa one month and new promises
ne heXt to divert attention from the
iaitlre to fulfill the promises OF the |
aonta before.
Less talk about peace at Washing !
on and more work for war, a smaller |
lumber Of promises and a larger meas |
re 81 performance, would go far to
cheek suspicion of America overseas
~ arther to arouIe Americans ar
ieme. What Washington aorely needs
oday IS the fighting heart Tn
ess and until that need is supplied we
snail not begin to win the war