Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-11

almost Jverran France. We came as
near obtaining military decision as
any one Is ever likely to come. And IL,
ended In nothing. Empty is all faith
In arms as a means of deciding the
questions of this war. We have given
great object lesson. Will you, our ene-
mics, spend next summer, as we spent
this summer. pursuing that Impossible
ity, military decisions?
Washington expects to hear much of
this appeal from Germany, now that
Hndenburg is back upon his line. lf
he succeeds in holding there. the sug-
gestion will be made that the deadlock
has been restored. that Foch Is power
less to advance. that the Importance OF
his recent achievements has been over
rated, since he was only pursuing
force that was voluntarily retiring to
line of greater safety upon which II
could make stand that would render a
military decision In favor of the Allies
impossible.
Army Tries to Anchor
The Germans count now upon a
check TO the Allies and upon the eX-
haustion of their spirits that will follow
upon the end of Fochs victories. IF the
Allies can be stopped, or if their fui-
ther progress can be slowed up. much
will be heard of the suggestion in Ger
many and Austria that a military VIC
tory is out of the question.
Washington. however. has come to be-
lieve in military victory and to desire
one. President Wilson has not said
that there must he a peace. with VIC
tory, but his diplomacy is steadily being
shaped so as to require peace with
victory.
intn nI il
tary victory next year. That predic-
ton was one of the most significant in
cidents in recent months For the
General is not given to predictions. That
prediction had purpose. just as
Burians prediction has purpose. Ana
the purpose of one is the exact con-
t.ary of the purpose of the other. the
Allied world is building up a morale
upon which the war can be carried Tor
ward to a successful conclusion. Baron
Burian is trying to tear down that
morale.
Diplomatically. the Administration has
committed itself to a peace with victory.
The recognition of the Czecfp-Slavs ana
the encouragement of the Jugo-Slavs are
steps in a policy that requires a military
victory. The dismemberment of Austria
is now part of the Allied program.
To that dismemberment Austria will not
consent at Il counsel table. Baron
Burian calls 1t a crime. Nor will Ger
many he any reader to see her one sup
porter in Europe torn asunder than Will
Austria herself. Only military victory
will make a nation of the Czecho-Slavs
and of the Jugo-Slavs.
When President Wilson speaks again
It is believed that he will recognize the
changed conditions which make an at
tainment of Americas war aims un-
likely with anything short of a military
victory. If the propaganda of Burian
End of the Germans is carried forward,
the President may reply to it.
The Republicans, through Senator
Lodges recent war aims speech. have
sought to capitalize the recent harden
ing of the national CONSCIOUSNESS toward
the war and the growing demand that
we make sure of Germany by defeating
lier. TO that appeal, the Democrats are
likely to pay some attention. Baron
,Buran has made it difficult for thc
Democrats to say anything but that
there must be n peace with victory.