Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08

The motives that impei the enemy
20 make his effort are three fold;
the morale Of the German people
must be bolstered. courage must
again be revived through the me-
dium of victory, and the Germans well
realize that victory cannot be achieved
on the western front nor at any other
point where German armies are oper-
ating today: it is the hope OF tne
Teutonic naval admiralty to oreak
through the allied Gordon and through
this success demora1ize the system
of sea communications which nave
been established between various ma
tions fighting against the central
powers. thereby, for few months at
least, paralyzing the striking power
of allied armies ON the western front
as well as in Italy and Macedonia
Furthermore, to Teutons it is sug-
gested that great naval victory VIII
once more plunge the allied nations
into despair and the peace offensive
which has been ushered IN oy the
kaiser and Prince Maximlllan VIII De
received with more open mind
But the chief motive which impels
the German war lords to act is the
critical internal situation. which de-
mands speedy action If the peoples
are to continue to stand hrm un,
nnon their backs through the ma.
chinations of the junker elements OF
Germany. With wide retreat on the
western front in prospect, a contln
gency which is certain 70 spread
deepest gloom throughout the nation.
the German government VIII ONE
more strive to achieve the heretofore
imnossible in again sending its fleets
forth to battle.
Gravity of Situation Appreciated.
There is no attempt made to minimize
the serious situation that would arise in
case the German fleets venture forth
from their bases at Kiel and Wilhelms-
haven.
1t is learned in naval circles here
that the Germans have placed the finish
ing touches upon ten new Super-dread-
naughts and six battle cruisers Of the
most powerful type. Since the battle
action of the war resulted in the Ger
mans being turned back by the heroic
British fleets. the German admiralty has
centered it's attention on not only re-
placing the losses suffered in this en-
gagement, but bringing German naval
strength up to the highest possible level
before another attempt was made.
Just as the Germans have construct
ed great warships designed to meet the
best that the allies have in the North
sea, it also is known that great num-
ber of super-submarineS have been con-
structed during the past year. These
submarines have not wasted their
strength on mere merchantmen. the
~
pains that they should not be endan-
gered before the hour Of supreme battle
Numerous destroyerS and torpedo boats
J likewise have been added to the Teutonic
naval strength. When the fleets of the
/, kaiser once more get up steam and
and French war vessels they will Of
fer strength not despised either in
London or Washington.
Though the opinion prevails among
officers now in Washington that the
Germans will suffer tremendous re-
verse in their effort, it is made plain
that If in the heat of battle a num-
ber of torpedo boats or destroyers. a
cruiser Of two or a dreadnaught should
escape through the allied Gordon,
there Immediately would arise grave
peril to both American and British
convoy systems. Before these yes
be the possibility of their working
great destruction to American trans
ports and supply vessels. with result
tant great loss of life.
Owing to the peculiar economic and
industrial conditions which prevail in
France, Great Britain and Italy. all
being more or less dependent upon
the uninterrupted supply Of war
stores sent out from this country, any
serious curtailment of the present ef-
ficient transport system might sue
ceed in curtailing the scope of allied
campaigns not only on the western
front. but in Italy and Macedonia as
well.
The United States now is utilizing