Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-05
THIS WEEK OF WAR
Review of Facts. and Some Deductions Theretrom, by
a Member of the Times Republican Staff.

conflict, These utterances prove not
only growing dissatisfaction among the
German people but growing fear ON
the part Of the kaiser and his aides
that the people will rise ard overthrow
them. An unmuzzled press in Germany
is something entirely new, hut which
the kaiser dare not curb in fear Of ig-
hitting the spark which would start a
revolution like THAT which overthrow
czarism. sh&
The intimation in this column several
weeks ago that the Austro-German
campaign in Italy might result in dis
aster and be the means of fastening
the end of the war is a stronger posi-
hility now than then. The plans of the
invaders to eliminate Italy as a war
factor by sending its armies thru the
mountains to the fertile Venetian plain,
where subsistence and loot would be
plentiful, have gone awry Two severe
defeats have been Indicted upon the In
vaders during the week, one by the
French contingent and the other by
the italians. Thereby recent gains OF
the enemy in the north have been over
come and nullifled. Now the long de-
layed SHOWS have fallen, blocking some
of the mountain passes, making 1t I'M
possible for the invaders to push their
campaign and very difficult to main
tain lines of supply. BY spring the
Italians, reinforced by French and Brit
ish troops will be in better condition
to assume offensive operations than an
army snowbound several months on
short rations.
With the campaign in Italy dead
locked for the present, the entente al
lies in the west are confident the Ger
mans will go ahead with their plans for
a big drive. This probability has been
pointed out by General Maurice, direc-
tor Of military operations in the Brit
ish war office, who suggests two fac
tors which contribute to this probable
lily. The first Is the steady flow OF
German reinforcements from the Rus
sian front, and the second the fact that
the United States is not yet ready to
take any considerable part In the OPP
erations in Belgium and France In
the meantime the Germans are con-
tenting themselves with minor raids
and artillery duels in, order to harrass
the allied armies and to seek out II
possible weak point in 4the lines. Gen.
eral Maurice puts out the assurance
that the allies are I'M an excellent de-
fensive position. holding practically all
the high ground on the Htndenburg
lire, but face the necessity Of building
new defenses on that part of the line
moved forward In the recent brilliant
advance Of General Byng. General
Maurice, however, warns the public to
be prepared for some losses OF both
ground and men.
\ A sensational Interpretation placed
on the report Of the House mission as
Indicating that the allies are in n bad
way and face defeat unless the war Is
won within the year is discredited by
the announcement at Washington that
the recommendations would not cause
q change in tho plans OF the war de-
partment in regard to the dispatch OF
troops to France. Secretary Baker
says every effort is being made to
speed the production Of munitions and
equipment, and that the promise Of the
entente nations to provide additional
transport facilities will hasten the
movement Of troops beyond the pre-
vious expectations. .y
Nevertheless. 1t is a fact that France
is in sore need Of food and fuel, and
that Great I.ritain's stores Of food-
stuffs are being depleted faster than
{ ships CAP hr.:s5 new supplies. There e
fore America must make up her mind
to do with less Of many things and
do without some which we have con-
sidered as essential to comfort and
pleasure. The war may be ended IN .
year with the allies victorious, but
~ aacriaces Will be necessary We ~ NJ