The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1918-07-23
The Supreme Commander.

AS the struggle develops in France is found that the
forecast Of Americas growing Importance in the war is
more than confirmed The number Of Americans fighting
is comparatively small yet the enemy receives the
first serious setback since Gen. Jore the battle of
the Marine. The Americans seem to have served a
toughening alloy in the allied forces like moybdente in
Steel which makes the metal twice resistant to abra
sion and wear Every soldier Of France and England il
encouraged by the presence Of the sagerand active Amer
lean lads and the spirit Of emulation has doubtless con-
tributed largely to the victory the Germans
The fate Of Europe hangs upon America. This fact
admitted by every allied statesman and soldier. 1t has
not been admitted by Germany, but the western front
moves back toward Berlin no admission from Germany
will be necessary Upon American steadfastness, amp
Jude of preparation and cear-sighted vision depend the
outcome Of the war and the adjustments which will make
peace satisfactory and permanent It mpossby fol
American to shift the responsibility that daily becoming
more apparent.
The war maneuvers Of the allies supposed to be
originated and directed by the supreme council Of
Versailles, acting through Gen. FOch, supreme com
nander of the allied armies. The war council is doing
good work. despite limitations which cannot be removed
Gen. Foch is universally praised for his brilliant strategy
and no one dreams of suggesting that his authority b
curtailed On the contrary the Americans we'll tbs
British are glad to obey orders emanatng from this
ter military mind.
But the war does not consist only in military plans
at work outside of the scope Of authority of the al
lied war council and Gen. Foch. Political economic
racial financial geographical and psychological factors
to name only few, are quite beyond the purview Of
Gen. Foch, whose duty is principally to the al
lied armies on the western front Yetthese factors
thrust daily before the attention Of President Wilson
and he cannot ignore any of them in formulating Thu
plans which the United States adopting for the purpose
of winning the If there were nter-aed poIiti
cal council Of supreme powers, President Wilson's due
might be ghtened considerably; but there is no sucI
council and perhaps it is mpractcabe to organize
The United States must contribute the power that
be the final stroke in this This nation cannot dele
gate that duty, could supreme council contribute
much Of value to the nations plans President Wilson
to all ntents and purposes is the United States govern
ment in this It is he who stands on the bridge da
and night directing the ship of state He must give tn
word if the is altered in the slightest degree
Congress supplies the motive power BY opening the ma
TONS purse and delivering the sword TO the President
hand but the conduct of affairs remains with him ant
cannot be referred to others
The President of the United States has right to com
mand the loyal support of every citizen Any Amer
can who withholds from Woodrow Wilson the whole
hearted support that is necessary in war is withholding
from the United States government and from the flag
1t is impossible and unnecessary to separate Woodrow
Wilson the man from Woodrow Wilson the President
Toward the man. burdened with the nations and tn
worlds problems, there due personal sympath
and cordial good WILL Toward the President the execu
tive Of the nation there is due that loyalty that ask
questions and stops at nothing in the quick execution
Of any task assigned.
i Theincreasing Importance of the United States as
ighting factor means the increasing responsibility
President Wilson directing the national policy Ever
citizen should bear this in mind when about to indulge
complaint against minor fault in the preparation
operation of the national war strength In the long r
The conduct Of the the allied side must be dictate
10y Woodrow Wilson, and by other person. All tn
allied nations recognize this, and are more than win
to cooperate according to the final judgment of tn
United States this Judgment emanaes from its chic
magistrate It would be worse than foolish when allie
nations we're Loyalty cooperating with the President 70
Americans themselves to indulge in unnecessary or by
percrtical debates en- the wisdom policy of measure
adopted by the President as commander-in-chief.
should also be remembered that military and politics
policies in times are rearely disclosed in full mt
after they have been executed and therefore crcisr
these measures while they developing IS usual
based on insufficient wholly erroneous information
Washington Post.
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