The Kevin review., 1926-12-16

into existence, and the whole story of the
conflict from the winter of 1919 onward
would have been different.
Again. without petroleum no aircraft
could have left the ground, and military
tactics based on the powers of observation
provided by these eyes of the army
would not have come into existence.
These were but two of the parts played
| by petroleum in the war 1t is no exagger-
alton to say that there was no phrase of
belligerent activity in which it was not an
active agent From the very outset OF
hostilities in August 1924, discerning men
in Allied countries foresaw that victory
must rest with petroleum. Thus, from the
beginning America, as the chief source of
| the worlds supply, was recognized as a
factor of inestimable Importance in the ul-
innate decision. Germany was as fully
alive to this circumstance as her enemies.
The high commands of the warning ma
tions, from the very outset, took into con-
sideration the desirability of securing pos
session of the oil fields of other lands.
A Strategic Consideration
1t was one of the aims of the British
Navy in driving ships from the Western
hemisphere. Later, when the blockade of
Germany was definitely established the
pressure was brought to bear against
countries suspected of enabling Germany
to obtain various classes of supplies by
indirect purchase, petroleum products
were regarded as the most important
items in hte extended list of contraband
of war.
On land oil constantly influeHced the
thoughts, plans and actions of Generals
The great and lengthy offensive against
Lemberg in Galicia aimed at cutting off
Germany and Austria from recourse to
the oil fields of that region. The long
drawn out diplomatic battle with regard
to Roumania all centered around the Oil
fields of that country.
Roumania should be forced into was,
either as an ally or as an enemy, for in
either case it would give her pretext
to seize the oil fields. In the end a British
ffur sci
prevent their use by the German invaders.
In the operation of Turkey against
Russia, the oil wells of Baku were the
objective. The early British operations in
cautionary measure for the protection Of
oil fields of which the Persian Gulf is
the outlet. Citations like these from the
history of the war on all fronts could
be multiplied to show how closely the |
petroleum question was interlocked with
belligerent action.
United States Deciding Factor
While it is admitted by candid histor-
ians that the British Government did not
realize at the outset Of the war the grave
Importance of petroleum products in the
prosecution of the war, the conflict had |
not gone far when the disruption of the /
European fields and the difffulties of get |
ting supplies from the Far East caused !
grave alarm in both London and Paris. 1t !
was then that the friendship of the Ameri /
can people for the Allied cause made it
self felt In practical form.
Had American oil interests then proved /
hostile or Indifferent; had this Government
yielded to German pressure and placed an 4
embargo on oil shipments the cause of
the Allies would have been doomed. In
1907 it was admitted in the British House
Of Commons that adequate supplies of
petroleum products were quite as essential
as men and munitions. This was almost an +
because without the aid
Of petroleum the necessary maximum of
effort in other respects would have been
impossible.
Prevents Initial Defeat
Apart from naval and aerial needs, a re-
miniscent picture Of the Western Front
during the three or four years of trench
warfare reveals the predominant Importance
If petroleum. 1t proved a decisive factor
rs early as the Battle of the Marine. 1t will
Je recalled that one Of the greatest factors
n Marshal Joffre's victory was the feat of
General Gallieni in transporting a fresh
lrmy from the Paris area to the front by
he use of nearly every motor car and taxi
.ab in Paris. Thus, petrol transport saved
Paris and turned the scale OF the 19l4
against the Germans.
The conflict then settled down to pro-
onged era of trench warfare. The Allies
Degan the construction of strategic rail-
Ways to support the armies of the line,
tut between the railroads and the actual
,attefront in the long stretch from the
Sorth Sea, to Switzerland, transport was
lmost wholly dependent on motor spirit
r gasoline. Innumerable heavy motor lor-
les carried food, guns and ammunitions !
0 the fighting forces.
Makes New War instruments Possible
But the function of petroleum products
n land did not end in its association with
he commissariat and supply. 1t was an
ggressiye instrument. The greatest new 3
actor In land fighting that the war de- 7
eloped was the tank, a land battle =
ruiser, first introduced by the British at q
be Battle of the Somme, in July, 1916, t
nd afterwards adopted by all armies. This $
reat instrument of war was wholly de- ]
endent on petroleum products for its ?
over of movement. Again when liquid fire c
ime into use petroleum was the basis; y
nd in that great destructive agent, I. N.
~ - 80 "a .. . :. :. -. = :. - .. : -