The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-11-11
Editorial Comment
Hidden Control in the War
Chicago Tribune)

Hidden Control IN the War
Chicago Tribune)
The actual causes of the world war are being brought
out of the obscurity in which its responsible contrivers
bid them. They had to be hidden or the moral issues
would not have had much more value than SO many
scarcecrows in a December cornfield. The concealment
was thorough enough to fix the emotions of the war and
Of the postwar period for this generation and to control
the course OF international action BY the allies and for
them. When the revised ideas arc no longer consequent
tial they may be generally accepted.
There remain some still secreted factors in the con-
up events not now explained. Some Of them might be
found to have an important relation to q proper valua-
ton of effort and responsibility. Here. for example,
arc three questions:
Who In Germany was really responsible for the order
sent to the United States stipulating how American
neutrals might travel on the seas. what kind Of coloring
and flags the boats privileged to carry American citizens
must display to escape U boats?
Why was no attempt made to put a sufficient and
competent American army in France until SO late in 1918
and Why was no real use made OF American troops until
the Germans in their great drives of that year had al
most beaten the British and tho French and were within
reach OF victory?
Who dealt with the German revolutionaries and the
rebelious sailors and fomented the Instruction against
the kaiser and his government in the manner in which
the Germans arranged the Russian revolution?
The adequate and truthful answer to the second Qles-
ton will have considerable Importance with respect to
the final American effort which was decisive. Why was
it delayed? What influence caused the delay? II It
was by the design of the allies it Is consequential partic-
ularly if we are to continue to regard the war and its
consequences morally.
The submarine campaign brought the United States
into the war. Without it another cause might have been
found. but this one was. What German influenced the
decision to crowd American sentiment to the limit? Was
it Won Tirpitz? Or Ludendorff? A naval Or an army
purpose? Was It a decision of overconfidence or Of
panic? When Americans study the war they would
like to know who started them to fight IN Europe.
The Germans were winning when this sea policy
against the most powerful neutral was put in effect
They were outmaneuvering and outfighting the British
OH the sea. They had stopped the French offensive OF
the spring of 1917 and the following British offensive.
They had smashed Roumania. The Russian revolution
had begun the disorganization Of the Russian army and
the Red revolution. engineered by Germany. was about
to complete 1t.
challenge saw the collapse of the last Russian drive. the
rout Of the Italians at Caporetto. and the peace treaty
dragged the United States In snatched victory from the
hands Of his countrymen. But some allied policy did
its best to compensate Germany for this and to prevent
the effect Of Its consequences.
Less than 5000 men Of the First American division
were landed III France In late June. 1917. and In October
four regiments OF the division were fighting in Lorraine
The United States met the situation with the energy
which its seriousness required and was raising and train
ing an army with no limit as to numbers. This army
was In the United States and not in France and 1t did
not start for France until almost sufficient time had
been given Germany to complete its victory and make
the cause in Europe hopeless.
Who delayed the use Of the American army until It
was almost too late to get the troops In the field and
stop the Germans? One explanation has been that the
British could not furnish transport because Of their
panic over food and supplies. The American navy. which
could be put into action at once. had tipped the balance
sufficiently against the Germans so that the control Of
VAC OCoO CAVCpI Go 06dAASOt VAC OOOAA01 aAVSH
and gradually that menace was subdued by tactics to
which the American naval offices contributed effective
recommendations.
What may prove to be the explanation Is that tho
British did not want the American army in action. The
British high command had a confidence which expert
cnce did not justify. The British army was In top form
as to numbers. training and equipment. It was the larg-
est army ever commanded BY British generals and they
thought they could defeat the Germans with It. This
explanation has a credible source.
In the spring Of 1918 every one knew that the German
offensive was comine. Russia was out and Italy had not
yet recovered. Rournania was crushed and Germany
was free to concentrate It's victorious forces on the west
front. In March the smash came against the British
and the fifth army was destroyed. In May the often
sive was released against the French and they were
shattered or staggered. The question is who or what
had prevented the appearance Of the American army In
the line before the terrible chances had been taken Of
having the British and French armies destroyed by these
German attacks which so nearly succeeded? II that
policy can be traced to Its authority and defined vel
begin to understand something about the conduct Of
the war.
The American troops when they were employed were
q nar ccy; y Tim, &c T. 2 stop OPT, the oe . rush and to MAKE max.
enemies into an advance Of their own.
just as some British authority repaired the German
mistake Of bringing the United States In as . fresh enemy
when they had their nearly exhausted ones nearly de.
feated. repaired it by preventing the use Of the forces tn.
German blundsr had conjured from . .psaceable nation
so some wiser Briton may have repaired this British mis-.
take by fomcnting the German revolution.
The British intelligence was nearly always as good ..
the British military command WAS frequently. bad. Lon.
don knew every move Of the German navy. particular,
as to U-boats, about IS soon o the movement began
and it may Be found that the penetration o. the Ger
man navy by this intelligence service was able to star
the fire In back Of the German army.
It Is true that Wilson had informed the world that n
peace would be made with the German mOnarchsts. tina
the German democracy had to take over control befor,
Germany would be recognized ct . peace table. but tn
army Itself was still . splendid military organization
wholly In the territory Of It's enemies when the revolt
drove the kaiser into exile.
It does not seem credible that the British and Frenct
did not know tbs rebellion was starting and did not q
for It what the German had done for the Rsd revolu
ltton.
Whenever It Is really known and understood how TIL
war was fought and how victory ma decided theSe qucs
ti0ns will Ne answered. Just now We know 4 great dea
ntoce With accuracy hoW tho var started than Ne knos
how ~ was fo1ehk And what inflqences dectded 4.