El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-08-24
GEN. MARCH SAYS WAR WILL END
IN 1919; LET'S HOPE HE'S RIGHT

CEN. PEYTON C. MARCH, chief Of staff Of the United
" States army, predicts the end Of the in 1919. He
bases the assumption that the United States will have
100000 the western front next year. On that
front the United States has apparently decided in agree
with its allies, that the must be fought to de-
eson, believing It cannot be won through back door
attacks
There seems to be great deal Of sentiment throughout
the east and extent in the west that the war
VIII end IN 1919 If not before It is partly responsible for
marked appreciation the price Liberty bonds in
Wall Street The view IS strengthened by the glorious sue
achieved by allied since the turning point in
July when Germany lost the initiative IN battle.
is true that each Of the allies drives so far has been
brought standstiU by the Germans, after making
siderable Roadway for time but the gains Of forces
have been pronounced as to dsmay the enemy and i'll
the entente peoples with jubilation-
Gen MaTe's idea that next year the United States
will have placed so many the battle line that the
enemy compelling him TO sue Tor peace Germany IS sup
posed have about 100000 the front now
and VIII not have than that number next spring when
the 1920 class numbering not over 100000 Is taken into
service The 1919 Class is already in Thus America has
100000 France and ready for the front next year.
America and Germany shoad be numbers, leav
surplus on the allied side to furnish the overpowerug weight
for a break through
German and the French British Belgian and Portuguese
forces should be almost balanced with perhaps ad
vantage to numbers Germanys side but with most
OF Aeleas manpoWer as surplus 1or the ahes ready
TO furnish the driving power for a break through.
But there this fact not to be overlooked It takes far
and far materials to wage offensive than
defensive action To extent Germanys inferOrty
IN numbers viii lose significance because Germany viii be
fighting defensiTey and in very strong positions It IS
easier to drive Germans out Of shell holes and other strong
points where they than II viii be to drive them
ont Of the Hndenburg line to which they expected to
fall back this winter.
However It vel granted that the allies
viii break through the enemy front IN places
nsIt and start the rolling up process which
the beginning Of the end Of the war.
It is 200 miles IN the direct line Arras to the
German border It IS far from any other point whence
attack be pushed through to At the faI
end" Of the line allied troops German SOIL but the
terrain rough and the communications poor that
big drive through there is not deemed practicable
Even after the rolling up process starts, It viii take
long time to drive the enemy out Of France and Bel
GUM the German border There little sup
pose that Germany viii give up long German soil is
touched The Of the German ruling class is
desperate for surrender to be contemplated except very
last resort Il IS not to be expected that the morale Of the
German people at home, which IN the con-
nuance Of the depends, viii break down until German
towns and German farms in imminent danger That
time hardly before the fan winter Of 1919,
then.
Gen March seems be Alone far as high officers Of
the allied armies concerned in his prediction that the
VIII end next year. Let it be noticed that marshal
Foch, marshal Hag Gen. Petain and Gen PeIshing
making predictions. They have sad-each Of them
sraI times-that the VIII end when the enemy is
beaten Otherwise it viii end when It ends.
Perhaps Gen. March is right. We al hope so. Gladly
would pay tribute his disoernment if his Judgment
proved correct Just now he appears somewhat over
sanguiue.
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