The Washington times., 1918-01-17
OUR CONCERN TODAY.

Just now we are concerned in the
consideration of existing conditions
and future possibilities. The former
can, with approximate accuracy, be
diagnosed. The latter depend upon
proper decision and action on the
one hand or wrong decision or In
action on the other.
When the war commenced on Aug
ust 1, 1914, it was generally assert
ed-by Americans that it would be OF
short duration; that the instruments
of destruction as then perfected
made II Impossible for a long COLI
tinuance. After England dS;ided 10
join France AMI Russia, eve,se rom-
inent Germans believed GerTn4Fy and
Austria would soon be coulYeilod 10
submit. But as time has passed tne
outlook from our viewpoint has be-
come worse. All previous eslella'
tions have been upset One-nat'0n
after another has entered the war,
one difficulty after another las aP-
peared, and now, in the minds Of the
majority, the cessation Of I, sull-
Ties seems to be far distant In
recent editorial published in the
Philadelphia Ledger it was stated
that every business man should hang
over his desk the phrase: 'German%
is winning the war. We may no.
be willing to subscribe to the SENT
ment. but il indicates the opinion o.
a considerable number OF persons.
PUBLIC NOT INFORMED.
From the beginning of the war
there has been lack of information
on the part Of the general public IN
countries opposed TO the central
powers. Probably this is natural
and necessary in war times, for rea-
sons not important TO consider at
this time. The existence OF many
facts are. however, well known, and
fronI these there is cause for anX-
iety and fear. The most convincing
circumstance from the outset has
been the location of the opposing
armies. AS they move backward or
forward they demonstrate success or
failure. as a rule, regardless OF IN
diyidual features Of q battle or a
canlpaipn. About the goth of Au-
gust. 1914, the Paris papers, whose
publications were censored, made
The brief statement that the battle
lines on the western front were still
on the Somme. This was the first
information to the French public
that the German forces were within
fifty miles of the River Somme, and
= the effect of the abrupt announce
ment may be imagined, for it meant
that the enemy was rapidly ap-
preaching the city of Paris, and this
illustrates the want of knowledge
throughout most of the countries.
Notwithstanding claims of progress
have been made by the allies irorI
time to time, many Of which have
been justified, though others were
Iaade in a spirit of bravado or VITA
the purpose of c:eatIng sentiment,
The fearful facts remain tha- nj the
end of nearly three and cn2-hail |
wears the armies Cf German" and
Austria are fighting on foreign soil
and ere in the possession Or control
of territory and OF avenues to the
Persian Gulf which, if held-consid-
cred from a pecuniary standpoint
alone-would justify them in COM
mencing and carrying on the war
with ali its costs and misery TO their
people.
Prussian Germany is in control Of
the German empire, of the Austrian
empire, of Turkey, Roumania. Ser
bia, Albania, the most Of Belgium, a
large area of the best and richest
mart of France. Poland, and prob
ABLY a considerable portion OF
Russia, a substantial section OF
Italy, and much other territory
with large quantities Of iron ore,
coal, and other minerals and als'
food products. The natural re-
sources under the dominance Of Ger
many have been augmented many
fold since the war commenced, and
they are increasing.
The niisposition and effort o. t'ie
enemy have been to advance, to re