The Tupelo journal., 1918-06-28
UNJUSTIFIABLE OPTIMISM A
DEADLY NATIONAL
MENACE

L 49, ~ tAA
war is going to end this year." re-
marked a prominent citizen to the
editor of the Daily News shortly af-
ter the latter's return from Washing
ton yesterday.
And he really felt that way about
it. He honestly believed that hostili-
ties will be brought to a close before
the snow flies again.
There is no justification whatso-
ever for that belief. No such idea
prevails in political or military circles
at the national capital mons men
who are in intimate touch with the
real situation.
Quite to the contrary, the prevalent
feeling at Washington is one Of the
grayest apprehension. Those who are
in a position to know, feel absolutely
certain that there isn't a ghost Of a
chance for the war to end within a
few months-unless it should end in
a German victory, and that is not to
be thought of. To bring it to a close
with an American victory is going.
to take many, many months Of hard
and bloody fighting.
This is no time for -ls 2bla
optimism, ard any scr o6 optimism
that discounts the gravity Of the sit
uation is unjustifiable. Worse still,
predictions Of ~ eariy close CT the
war are destructive to the morale of
the civilaian population and have a
demoralizing effect on the esprit de
corps of our military establishment.
We must not be lulled into a feel
ing of false security by the temper
airy check of the German offensive and
these things are gratifying, of course,
but they are merely superficial phases
of that,mighty conflict being waged
almost at the gates of Paris.
Study Your War Maps
Study your war maps for a few
moments, compare the forces engag-
ed in this terrible battle, and perhaps
YOU will be able to gather a clearer
idea Of the true situation.
Suppose for instance that a German
army of more than 100 divisions was
advancing on Jackson, and had driven
a wedge through the state, the apex
of which was somewhere between
Hazelhurst and Crystal Springs.
And, -upposing yourself a citizen
of jackson, wouldn't you feel gen
timely alarmed over the situation, re-
gardless of the size or fighting abll-
itv of the opposing force?
Well, that's exactly how they feel
lin Paris. The German army is within
thirty-fve miles of the French capt.
counting no sacrifice of life too ter
rife to gain a few miles Of territory.
In a dispatch from Washington a
few days since the writer discussed
the possibility of the German army
reaching Paris. And it is still a pos
sib;lity. Military experts frankly adj
nit it. They do not discount the
strength Of a seasoned army that has
been fighting for four long years,
with scarcely a hostile shot fred on
its W soil. They can clearly see
the probability Of the German army
going through, provided it is willing
to pay the terrific price--and Germany
has not yet hegitated over a price,
even though the objective gained
forms a victory Of minor Importance.
With the German army in Paris the
entire aspect of the war will be
changed, and its prolongation will be
a matter, not of months, but Of. years.
It that America will hence.
forth bear the great burden of the
conflict. aided BY the shattered rem
lnants of the French and British forces
And it means that Paris will be de-
stroyed, for the portions Of the city
not devastated by the Allied army IN
dislodging the Hun will be burned by
Germans when the retreat starts. 1t
will mean the entire transfer OF the
theatre of war to Southern France,
with the Americans throwing her
millions of troops into action through
Mediterranean ports, providing we can
get them there in spite of the sub
marine nests.
It Is,'t Pessirs;stic
This may sound pessimistic, but It
isn't. 1T is merely frank setting
forth of the danger we confront, q
glimpse Of the character and dura-
tion Of the fight, America may De
compelled to make before the German
horde is whitfield down to a retreat
ing army instead Of an o~nn1areflns
army, and then driven across the
Rhine.