The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-01-25

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would not be inconsistent from tie
German point of view. The Germans
make war with both war weapons and
peace weapons. A trescherous peace
move, working to their advantage by
dividing counsel in allied countries. i
just as acceptable to the Germans as 3
victorious battle, since the results are
the same. The allies have never edlme
to appreciate this fact, much less to
adopt the disintegrating tactics so sue
cessfully employed by Germany in all
allied countries.
Russia is disabled and the United
States is not yet on the scene in full
strength. Thus Germany is able to
strike at the only two allies that have
been more than q match for her
France and Great Britain. While Ger
many was occupied on the Russian
front, the western allies were able to
push her gradually, but surely, back,
and it was only by immediate REIN
forcements on a huge scale and des-
perate counter attacking that Germany
was able to hold her lines in France.
These lines are now unstable. and If
the allies continue to gather strength
particularly in artillery, the Gerr4ns
will be compelled to fall back next
/, spring or summer. A considerable
withdrawal would mean the loss to
Germany of coal and iron fields that
are indispensably necessary in carry,
ing on the war. Every inch Of terri
CRY in northern France is needed by
Germany. The loss of few furIqngs
there may mean the loss of the war.
Therefore it is incumbent upon Ger
many to strengthen its position there
before the appearance of the United
States and Russia in aid of the west
ern allies.
Several factors serve to handicap
the Germans in trying to bring their
full strength to bear on the western
front. They dare not trust the Rus
SLAMS in the first place. Although the
present Russian army no longer has
the fighting morale, the mercurial
condition of affairs in Russia may
bring about a sudden change adverse
to Germany. If Germany should with
draw too many troops from the Rus
sian front it is quite possible that the
remainder would be in deadly danger.
Russia will always bear watching, and
never more closely than when she
seems to be powerless.
Another handicap to Germany is
the Italian offensive, which has reach
ed the stage where hundreds Of thous-
ands of Austro- German troops are
snowbound in the toughest country in
the world, unable to move forward and
barely able to bring up supplies. The
Franco British forces in Italy are
steadily increasing and steadily inn
proving their positions. The critical
hour for Venice passed some weeks
ago. Germany is reported to have
turned back some troops from the
Italian front and directed them to
France and Flanders, but the total
cannot be large.
Still another drawback to German
operations is the difficulty Of trqSrs-
portatien The United StatRs n
fha .oal{ anusstl' - ----fNs -
Grafton has met heartbreaking n]ii<
culties. Enough information has leak
ed from Germany to show that the
railroads are lacking in equipment,
Fuel is scarce, labor is scant and in
efficient, trains are dilapidated and
traffic congestion is as bad or worse
than in the united States. The only
material that moves with any degree
of dispatch is the human material des-
tined to be food for the allies guns,
and the ammunition and munitions
for the Teuton armies.
Notwithstanding the obstacles, how
ever, it appears probable that the Ger
western armies to another terrific
strain before spring in the hope Of inn
proving the German position before
the Americans come.--Washington
Post.