Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1918-11-14
LAST OF WORLD
AuTocRAciEs FALLEN

The German empire was the last OF
the great autocracies whose fall marks
tho real significance OF the war. In
Russia, Austria.Hungary and finally
ia Gerpany. irresponsible power gave
: way hefnre the irresistible forces un.
VI Field Marshal Won Hindenburgs
prophetic words. early in the war,
came true. The side with the strong
est nerves, said he, would win. 1t was
the crumbllng OF the home front
which made it impossible, for Ger.
many, notwithstanding her great arm.
iea In the field. to carry on any longer.
The collapse OF Germany brings the
eclipse of the German idea of the
state, as opposed to the doctrine of
individual rights. Under this regime,
there was developed a nation of which
unitarian was the embodiment, which
murdered and plundered, needless. of
the rights OF the Individual. and made
terrorism matter OF studied policy.
This terrorism was directed not
against individuals but against ma
eons. not only hostile nations but
those with whom Germany was Off.
claaly at peace.
It's system OF espionage, corruption
aud violence extended throughout the
world. 1t was exemplIfied by the
plots carried out in this conuntry un.
der direction OF the governmen. for
the destruction OF munition plants and
ships before the United States enter
ed the war and by the effort of the
German government to embroil this
country. then neutral. in war with ia.
pam and Mexico. No capital OF En-.
rope was free from German secret
agents In the years preceding the war
and the nations lived in growing dread
OF the huge military machine which
Germany was building up, TO the &C.
compartment of the emperor's boast.
ings OF the shining sword" and Ger.
man toasts to "Der Tag" In voices
which echoed around the world.
Greatest Of World Conflicts.
The virtual ending OF this greatest
OF conflicts has come with dramatic
swarness. Four months ago the Ger.
man military power apparently at
its height. The unchecked forces OF
the enemy had battered their way
through the French and British lines
until Paris was in danger Late in
July the world was thrilled with the
news OF an allied counter-attack be.
tween the Aisne and the Marne. The
Germans were hurled back and since
that day the victorious progress of
the allies has been maintained.
Various causes have contributed to
this reversal. The entrance OF Amer
lea into the struggle. with her vast re.
sources or men and materials. Is con.
ceded by the allies to have turned the
scale. One Of the most important
effects or this country's act was the
-beartening to an enormous extent of
the wearied allied nations and a cor.
responding deterioration of German
morale. Exhaustion OF German raw
material and years OF semi.starvation
assisted in the process OF beating
down the enemy into a submissive
frame OF mind. II is also significant
that the establishment Of allied su.
premacy in the field almost synchron.
iHed with unihcation OF military con-
troll and the appointment OF Foch to
the post OF supreme command. Mill.
tary commentators without exception
lay stress upon the Importance of
leadership and the genius OF Foch in
stemming and finally turning the tide.
Among the individual leaders, aside
from Foch. whose names stand out
most prominently, are Marshal Joffre,
who saved France in her darkest days
of the summer Of 1914; Field Marshal
IIaig. the British commander; Gen.
erel Petain. at the head OF the French
forces: General Diaz. who on the Ital.
ian front beat back last summers
great Austrian offensive and later
tore the Austrian armies to pieces in
few weeks and General Pershing.
ktANe nE pANAntA AAn ,