The Washington herald., 1918-02-25
ALLIES HOPES T.
NOURISHED BY
US. WARPLANS
Aeerica Is Steadying Force
Behind England, France
and Italy.
BY ARTHUR 8. DRAPER.
Special Cable to The Washington
Herald and New York Tribune.

Herald and New York Tribune.
London, Feb. 24.-The German Joy
ride into Russia Is being watched by
all Europe. All minor domestic is
sues, which bulked large in peoples
eyes a few days back. are now for
gotten.
The hopes Of many that at last the
spirit OF moderation had begun to
grow among the belligerents has been
dashed to the ground. Again the mill
tarists are in the ascendant. There Is
not a shadow OF doubt Of this, and
even the professional paciflsts admit IT.
Face Critical Period.
War words must give way to war
material, though there Is no reason
why they should be abandoned. In
fact, the turn OF events in Russia
gives the allied diplomatists another
big opportunity, simply because 1t has
not won initial success.
But the big thing is that the people
know now they face the most critical
period Of the war. and that steady
nerves and a strong heart are abso-
lutely essential in the coming months.
America Is the steadying force be-
hind England, France and Italy. They
face the coming struggle after long
hardship and keen disappointment
with steady nerves because they are
confident America will not fail them.
On the eve of a revolution in their
economic life, the institution OF the
card system Of food rationing. they
face the future confidently because
they believe that out Of the great
American depots will come supplies to
carry them through this grave period
In the event OF a gigantic military
struggle they are OF strong heart be-
cause they feel that they can stop the
desperate drive of the enemy and that
then America Is like the anchor man
in a relay race. Other members OF
the team will run themselves out, con-
fident that on the last lap America
will carry them to victory.
No nation ever enjoyed greater con-
fidence, no nation ever carried great
er responsibility, unless it be Ger
many in the eyes of her allies. The
British are not easily ratified When
things seem brightest the British
Grouse most. when the whirligig
Of fortune swings against them, they
utter few complaints.
workmen GrumbIe.
The British workman grumbles
over the shortage Of meat, the diff
fculty Of obtaining margarine and
tea and the high prices OF most foods
and drinks, but he is a real patriot
and will stick it out"
Because the masses OF the country
debate war aims this must not be
interpreted as a sign Of weakening.
Even at this late hour there Is q Diff
ference OF opinion as to peace aims
but there Is not the slightest diver
gence in views on the main issue.
Every British workman Is agreed
that mi1tarism must go. And when
the German militarists ride rough
shod over Russia they succeed bet
ter than the allied statesmen do in
sohdifytng the masses OF Great
Britain. France and Italy.
There will be no Joy in the West
There Is going to be fierce fighting
with terrible losses and momentary
pointments, but when the bloody
struggle has worn itself out the al
He'd peoples are confident the ad-
vantage will be on their side.
That Germany has been rushing
U-boat construction this winter and
that this spring she will strive les
perately to sink British food ships
and American transports. Is equally
certain. This spring Germany will
gamble for high stakes