Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03

adversaries, they have suffered heavy
losses themselves, probably much
more serious than those OF the French
or the British. Under any conditions
the army of offense must lose more
men than the defenders If the line Of
the defense does not become entirely
divided.
/ It is true that the gradual with
drawal of the allies line westward has
enabled General Foch to inflict heavy
losses on the enemy while sustaining
comparatively lighter casualties in his
own forces. But 1t also is true. that
he has permitted the German advance
to continue until he has been forced
to make determined stand on the
Ypres sector, with no remaining
stronghold between his present hill
positions and the North sea. Should
he be forced from the heights which
thus far have damned the German
torrent, only the lowlands of northern
France will be between him and the
English channel.
{ The splendid strength which the al
lies have displayed since Mondays
German attack began justifies the hope
that they will be able to hold their
present line indefinitely, or. at least.
until American reinforcements can ar
rive in France in sufficient numbers to
turn the balance Of man power in
favor: Of the allies for good and all.
But the fact persists that the strong
Messines ridge positions were lost
after desperate fighting and that Kem-
mel hill was lost after desperate fight.
ing. both because the enemy was able
to throw an overwhelming force int2
the assault and smother the allies
armies under wave after wave of Prus-
sian strength.
Germany has shown a determination
to risk her entire future, on the battle
which has ragged since March 81.
Extravagant wastage has been the
penalty for her desperate attacks, but
she has had her reward in more or
less steady advancement Of the line OF
battle toward the west
The repulse of General Won Arnim's
first storming effort against the bill
positions below Ypres ranks as bril-
liant victory for the allies, but 1t can
not be accepted as entirely decisiye.
The Germans will return to the hight.
and il the experience Of the past is a
dependable criterion they will return
with added vigor. Only a constantly
increasing force to oppose them can
bring ultimate victory to the side OF
the allies, and it is from the United
States that the bulk of this strength
must come.
In this Emergency 1t is good to know
that thousands OF American fighting
men are sailing from our Atlantic ports
each week on their way to the battle
line. They must be trained after
their arrival in France, to be sure, but
their very presence there will serve
to strengthen the morale and courage
Of their allies.
Secretary Baker has program for
increasing Americas man power and
our strength in France. His delay in
presenting that program TO congress
brought forth protest yesterday in the
senate. where three bills calculated to
speed up our participation. in the fight
ing were introduced. 1T is to be hoped
that when the proposed legislation
does come before congress there VIII
be minimum of the costly and futile
delay which has caused other war
measures to move too slowly. The
Overman bill, for instance. could and
should have been law by this time
Nothing is gained by vain campaigns
against administration legislation, for
1t is supported by an .inflexible ma,
jority of sufficient strength to COM
mand both houses. Debates should be
shortened or dispensed with and the
law makers should take to themselves
some Of the criticism which, however
Justly, is levelled at Secretary Baker
and some others Of the administration
leaders, for their too deliberate meth.
DDS Of making war