Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-10-25

& RDENT optimists who picture the retiring
IA Huns as so many tattered knights OF the
1 woefuI longing for peace of unconditional
surrender will do well to take SOLDERING dash OF
truth. They can hardly do better than mark the
Judgment of military observers who are closely
studying the Western front, or peruse the latest
speech of Chancellor Max to cheering Reicnstag
Writing from London to the New York Times,
Major General Sir Frederick Maurice, one OF the
ablest of war critics, declares:
lam confident that our men who are fight
ing the Germans the Selle and the Amerl-
cans who are fighting the Germans on the
Meuse would not describe the enemy opposed
to them as a broken and dispiriJed foe, IN
capable of effective resistance. There
is a general idea that eyer since the second
battle of the Marine the Germans have been
running away, but this is quite contrary 10
fact and is very unfair to our men. The GER
mans have been defeated in whole series OF
fierce battles in which they have fought Well
hut i'm all they have been Outgeneralled and
outfought. The enemy, however, Is SUN SOME
way from complete military defeat
To the same effect is the testimony of correspond
ents at the 'front.' and of men actually in the hght
ing as far as propriety allows them to speak Inc
morale OF the German soldiers, these observers say
has not been broken by retreat nor measurapV
shaken by the peace movement. HlndenDurS mas
succeeded in imbuing his forces, for the time be-
ing at least with the idea that the better they
fight the sooner will peace be obtainable Ihus the
amy Tupctions effectively with the strategists at
Berlin who are playing for an armistice with the
twofold purpose of improving the precarlous posi-
ton of Germany and or weakening the "aI-"lll
and unity of the Allies.
That those strategists are in no wise de-
spairful as some rumors have depicted them Is
anparent from Chancellor MaX's latest speech In
tbis utterance there is no hint. of chastened and
penitent Germany. Rather, there is nara ring
of resentment against President WILSON'S recent
reference to Prussian barbartles on lana ana sea-
tbere is virtual defiance of American and Allied
sentiment for the Huns downright surrender, ana
there is plain indication that they are preparing
to fight to the last trench III the e'enI 'heii P0o
offensive fails. o,
The President observed in his note of October
the fourteenth that lin their enforced withdrawal
from FLANDERS and France the German armies are
nursuing course of wantOn destruction which
has always been regarded in direct violation OF
the rules and practices OF civilized warfare ne
also adyerted to recent submarine atrocltles ana
declared THE nations associated against Ger
many cannot be expected TO agree to cessation
of arms while acts of inhumanity, spohation and
desolation are being continued, which they justly
look upon with horror and with burning hearts"
Chancellor Max knows that this indictment is true,
if he knows anything of his nations military poll
cies and commanders He knows that Frlghtful-
ness is prescribed method of German warfare. and
that it has practced with peculiar feroclty on
the present retreat. But how does he answer
president Wilson's irrefutable accusation? Holly
he declares:
"Our first and last thought is for the brave
men who are defending themselves against
superior forces and whom we must defend
against unjust charges. No one must thlnk
he can attack the honor of our army without
also attacking the honor of our people
Evidently the worlds opinion of what Chancellor
Max refers to as honor" has not yet penetrated
the German mind.
Evidently, too, he and those for whom he
speaks are far from the point where they will take
a dictated peace, notwithstanding his previously
professed acceptance of the presidents fourteen
terms Germany he insists, must not be bllndly
brought TO the conference table," but must ask If
peace is realized on the basis of President Wilson'S
conditions what they Chose conditions) mean for
our future" His assumption seems to be that the
Allies have been trying to bring Germany to con-
ference, whereas it has been just the other way
around Here we have indication of what the
German attitude and German tactics would be II
by disastrous chance the Allies should consent to
shift the wars decision from the battlefield to 4
debate. Instantly the Prussian swagger would be
resumed; the supposed suppant would essay the
role of Dictator the tragic farce OF Brest-Litoysk
would be re-enacted. Chancellor Max, besides
broadly intimating that Germany must be shown
wherein specific terms will be to her advantage
before she will accept them, declares: whether
the next few days or weeks snail call us to flght
on or open the way peace, there is doubt that
we are now equal to the task of either war or
peace by carrying out the Governments program"
This remark fits rather well with General
Naurices warning that "the enemy is still some
way from complete military defeat" and also with
dependable reports concerning the German army's
morale Without undertaking the tremendous
weight of the Allied victories of the last three
months let us face the fact that German militar-
ism is still unconquered; that Hindenburg is
treating without disaster to lines -shOrter and
stronger than those whence he has been driven;
and that in consequence of the sops which Kaiser
dom has flung the Reichstag, political conditions
in Germany probably more harmonious than
for many a season. From this outlook it appears
that 1919 campaign will be necessary to bring
Prussianism to that complete surrender which
must be obtained if the principles fight for
to triumph and the years of heroic sacrifice be
not in vain.
With Wilson at one end and Foch at the other
there need be no fear of the outcome.