Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-29

we have seen Russia. in the early stages Of the war.
playing q highly important part in keeping the central
powers occupied on the east. We have seen Russia go
to smash and the German legions withdrawn from her
frontfers to add force to the drives in the west Yet
with all these accessions to her strength. Germany has
Deen unable to win. We have seen the Teutonic terri
tory almost cut in 1.-two by. the victories Of Italy, and at
one time we confidently expected the capture of a great
Austrian army by the steadily moving Italians. Then,
as out OF a clear sky came the blow which resulted in
the tragic italian defeat Of last fall. and we began 20
see visions OF Italy PROSTATE under the heel Of the in
vader and France invaded from the south. Again the
tide Of fortune turned. and Italy emerged. strong, con
fdent. self-reliant, and victorious.
If we have learned anything during these four year,
we must have learned that to win or lose a battle is
not to win or lose a campaign, and that while it is the
part Of courage to avoid undue depression over a reverse
it is also the part Of prudence to avoid undue citation
over a success. Either may be the forerunner, of other
important events Of its kind; and either may be followed
by its opposite.
When all possible allowance is made for unfavor-i
able possibilities. however. the Allies have every cause
to regard the general situation with confidence and salts
faction. Despite the submarine. Germany and her Allies
have been unable to do more than interrupt spasmodi-
cally the flow Of men, munitions. food and other supplies
among the democratic powers, while their own commerce
has been. banished from the seas, and their own ports
'SA'oAA Oo1SSi up. IdCH OIL u AlheS can draw on, the
entire world for what it needs. while the Teutons are re-
stricted substantially to what can Be produced within
their own borders. Germany has been dispossessed of
all her colonial possessions. Russia, disintegrated, seems
to be entering on the preparatory stages Of a re-crystal-
hzation, out of which will come new forms. safe and
stable. And, While there is no present prospect Of Russia
again becoming an important military aid to the Allies,
there is, on the other hand, every prospect that she will
prove a liability rather than an asset to Germany. \
In Austria revolution has always been near the sur
face. and the privations which the war has brought to
the people has resulted in fresh and desperate attempts
on the part Of the subjected to establish their inde-
pendence Of Teutonic control. Germany is held in a
form of unity by the myth Of military invincibiltty. The
SCATTERING Of that myth will mean the demonstration Of
popular sentiment in an explosive manner.
The military lines are well disposed. In distant
Mespotamia and in Palestine the British lines are advanc-
ing surely northward and the dream of a German en-
pire reaching to the Indian. ocean is already shattered.
In southern Europe recent entente advances have linked
up the Adriatic with the Balkans. and the Teutons must
stand guard over a line reaching through Albania and
Serbia, with a local population awaiting the opportunity
to strike a blow at those who have assumed to be their
masters. The Austrians on the Italian line have tried
to advance, and failed. They cannot go forward. and
they dare not retire; They can send no aid to the
French front, nor can the Germans spare them any.
1T is along the line that runs through France and
Flanders that>the great armies are massed. and that the
decisive contest will be waged. This year presents to
the Germans their last opportunity. Their March often
sive wasi undertaken with half a million Americans in
France. and but a handful at the front. Today we have
more than a million there, and a quarter Of a million in
the fighting line drivHng the Germans back. By the end
Of the year we will have two million men on French soil,
and if that is not enough the number will be increased
to five millions. ten millions-as many as are needed to
drive the Germans out of the field and compel them to
accept such terms Of peace as the enlightened demo-
cracies of the world shall propose.
The allied offensive around the Marine salient is an
incident. important, significant, possibly pregnant with
great results. but an incident, nevertheless. The major
operation is yet to be- performed. And when the, time
for that operation comes, which may or may not be this
year, its purpose will be. not to occupy this town or
that ridge but to grind the whole German resistance to
powder and to make Allied Headquarters of whatever
German Foch thinks will best suit his purpose.
. The war has brought misery upon the world. It has
also brought to the world a spiritual awakening which
is bound to result in a readjustmept of human relations
on the basis Of reason. Justice and ordered liberty.
CHARLOTTE CORDAY