Evening journal., 1918-01-02

a second effort. with knowledge gained
from experience. BY the time the ex-
perience was ready. France hadn't the
men TO spare for a new advance to the
Rhine.
Sometime during 1918. nearly four
years after Frances failure, a MIL
LION MEN FROM AMERICA WILL
MAKE AN EFFORT TO SOLVE ANEW
THE PROBLEM OF THE VOSGES
MOUNTAIN BARRIER. The principal
strategic aims Of the American army
in the new year, thus, will probably
take this order:
(i) Making a secure passage through
the Vosges Mountains for a military
advance into Germany;
t2) Marching across Alsace or Lor-
raine toward tho Rhine;
(3) Forcing passage across the
Rhine into Germany proper.
This looks Ike an enormous pro-
gram for a single year, when compared
with what the allies have been trying
to do for nearly three and one-half
years along the west front. But 1918 Is
DESTINED TO SEE NEW CONDITIONS
OF FIGHTING
After three and one-half years Of
slaughter. the best soldier material in
the central empires as well as among
the allies has been killed or perma-
nently lncspacltated Even the second
best has been annihilated
Opposed TO the third and fourth best
OF the central empires, The Uslied
states VIII have this year in Europe,
not only her best, but HER SUPER
BEST.
A second condition that should make
the nghiing in 1918 different from the
usual offensive methods Of previous
years Of the war. is the proof the
British gave at Cambria Of the value
Of their tanks as offensive weapons.
Since the Cambria engagement, a sec
ond use OF the tanks for a surprise Of
fensive has been made temporarily In
0pportune because OF the heavy rein
/ forcements Germany has concentrated
along the British front. But with Amer
/ ican tanks IN profusion at the. southern
/ end Of the western front this year, and
with plenty cf British tanks at the
northern end the Teutons will find the
problem OF adequate concentration oi
/ their reserves well nigh impossible.
Over 300 miles VIII then separate th'
areas OF possible American and British
/ oifensives. Real surprise will have beer
reiniroduced into modern warfare OF
q gigantic scale.
Apart from Americas participation II
the war during 1915 chief interes
ought to center IN the co-ordinated Of
fensives Of the British and the Amer
lean armies.
It is IN accord with the best princi
pies or strategy that General Haig
now resting his forces. Never since th
war began have the allies been able Z
coordinate their major attacks for an
length Of time. This haphazard metho
Of fghting to which Germany owes 5
much, is to be abandoned in 1918 b
the allies. Except to repel pOssibl
German assault, the British force
probably viii remain oomparativel
quiet until America gels ready
J strike
, THEN WILL CONE snfULTANEOU
! OFFENSIVES at the northern an
southern ends Of the western lin
r FORCING THE GERMANS on THE DE
% FENSINE under conditions such {
. they have not yet encountered durir
- the war.
] The French armies between u
e American and The British will prol
g ably not play a strongly offensive 70
IN the 1918 lighting. except as supper
E Of the combats on the two extremes
the western front France has borI
( a more exhausting part Of the warfa
during the past three and one-ho
s years than has England. and Fran
B has earned the right 20 rest until h.
{ help Is urgently needed.
b Enough Oucht TO be expected Of Ru
e sia, as to uncertainty. during 1918,
r. keep a considerable force of Germai
r watchful along the eastern front.