Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-11-15
LAST OF WORLD
AUToCRAciES FALLEN

The German empire was the last OF
she great autocracies whose fall marks
the real significance Of the war. In
Russia, ia.Hungary and finally
ia Germany. irresponsible power gave
way before the irresistible forces I'M
I'll Field Marshal Won. Hindenburg's
prophetic words, early in the war,
came true. The side with the strong.
est nerves. said he, would win. 1t was
the crumbling OF the home front
which made II impossible for Ger
Haany. Notwithstanding her great arm.
.es In the field, to carry on any longer.
The collapse OF Germany brings the
eclipse OF the German idea of the
state. AS opposed to the doctrins OF
individual rights. Under this regime,
there was developed nation Of which
militarism was the embodiment. which
murdered and plundered. needless OF
the rights OF the individual. and made
terrorism u matter OF studied policy.
This terrorism was directed not
against individuals but against ma.
lions, not only hostile nations but
those with whom Germany was OH.
cially ~ peace.
It's system Of espionage. corruption
and violence extended throughout the
world. II was exempliled by the
I.lots carried out in this country un.
Ter direction OF the government for
The destruction of munition plants and
ships before the United States enter
I'd the war and by the effort o. the
German government to embroil this
country. then neutral. in war with ia.
Tan and Mexico. No capital OF Eu-
ripe was free from German secret
agents In the years preceding the war
aud the nations lived in growing dread
ot the huge military machine which
Germany was building up. to the &C.
compartment of the emperors boast.
ings OF the Shining sword" and Ger.
man tOasts to Der Tag" In voices
which echoed around the world.
Greatest Of World Conflicts.
The virtual ending of this greatest
~ conflicts has come with dramatic
swlftness. Four months ago the Ger
man military power apparently was at
its height. The unchecked forces CT
the enemy had battered their way
through the French and British lines
until Paris was in danger. Late in
JAY the world was thrilled with the
news OF an allied counter-attack be-
tween the Aisne and the Marine. The
Germans were hurled back and since
that day the victorious progress OF
the allies has been maintained.
Various causes have contributed to
this reversal. The entrance OF Amer.
lea into the struggle, with her vast re-
sources OF men and materials, IL con.
ceded BY the allies TO have turned the
r'dit. olc Vi lHt nOot ihpNi taus
effects of this countrys act was the
hAartening to an enormous extent OF
the wearied allied nations and COR
responding deterioration OF German
morale. Exhaustion II German raw
material and years OF srsj starvation
assisted In the process OF beating
down the enemy into a submissive
frame OF mind. II Is also significant
that the establishment OF allied SUI
premacy in the field almost synchron-
ired with unincation OF military con-
troll and the appointment OF Foch to
the post OF supreme command. Mil.
tary commentators without exception
lay stress upon the importance OF
leadership and the genius OF Foch in
stemming and finally turning the tide.
Among the individual leaders. aside
from Foch, whose names stand out
most prominently, are Marshal Joffre,
who saved France In her darkest days
M the summer OF 1914; Field Marshal
Haig, the British commander; Cen
eral Petain. at the head OF the French
forces; General Diaz, who on the Ital-
ian front beat back last summers
great Austrian offensive and later !
tore the Austrian armies to pieces In a
few weeks, and General Pershing.