The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1918. "AMERICA ON THE MOVE"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 202, 15 May 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1918. "AMERICA ON THE MOVE"

Statements by British Ministers on the subject of war efforts and preparations which appeared yesterday are marked equally by gratitude for the signal services America has already rendered to the Allies and by a confident belief that she will' strain every nerve to give them as speedily as possible a decisive superiority of fighting strength. That belief undoubtedly restß upon a solid foundation. The visible development of a great and expanding war programme in itself bears striking witness to the spirit in which the United States is prosecuting the war, but even more convincing evidenco on this point, appears in what has been revealed of the trend of Amorican public opinion during the past twelvo months. It is the general_ testimony of observers that the critical developments of the present year havo very notably quickened and stimulated the war spirit of the American people. That thoro was scope for such a development hardly lays them open to reproach. Their experience in approaching gradually, or by stages, their present perception and appreciation of war demands parallels that of other Allied countries. It is to be said in addition, that throughout tho Allied world, and not only in America itself, ideas regarding tho part that country was called upon to play when it assumed belligerent status were at first .extremely confused. For a time it was a subject of controversy whether tho United States would best advance tho Allied cause by sending troops as rapidly as possible to Europe or by concentrating chiefly upon the production and transportation of war material and

food. Such doubts, and still more the belief with which they were identified th'al. t.bo United States was cast for a comparatively limited part in the war, have been very definitely set, aside by events, and the effect upon tho American people has been all that their Allies could possibly desire. Interesting testimony to the reality and far-reaching importance of this change in American war spirit is borne by the Washington correspondent of the New iork Evening Post in an article written when the German offensive in the Western theatre was in its third week. He describes a great change in public and official opinion bearing on the war.

Instead of a half-hearted effort based on the theory that the war would soon be won by the Allies, that peace was coming shortly, and that. much of our Army and much of cur material would never bo used, (he feeling is deeply rooted that not only aro tho preparations America now is making going to bo used, but that even greatei' effort must still bo exerted before tho conflict can end. In a nutshell, Washington believes the war is going to last at least a whole year more, and the great majority of officials at-e becoming convinced that tho struggle will have to go two years in order to make Germany comprehend tho necessity for a complete reversal of her world vnlicii's. The change in atmosphere began before President Wilson's speech in Baltimore; in fact, Mr. Wilson's utterance in behalf of the unstinted use of force was an outgrowth of a new spirit of determination which came to the surfaco when the German offensive was started. Never before did the war seem so close. The mere thought of a defeat for the Allied armies brought quick realisation of the monaee to America in the dominion cf tho Teuton. What had previously seemed academis became of a sudden immensely concrete and practical.

The correspondent goes on to show that tho awakening he describes speedily bore fruit in all departments of war preparation. Complaints about food and fuel orders diminished considerably, the demand for Liberty Loan bonds was notably stimulated, and the effect was seen also in the smooth working of tho "draft" machinery and in the training camps. "Unquestionably," he remarks, 'the cantonments and camps will bo emptied by summer, and new troops substituted. Everywhere the feeling is that America is at last on the move."

An assurance that tho German offensive has led to a great rise in American moral may bo accepted all the moro confidently in view of tho material evidence lately afforded that the peoplo of the United States are throwing themselves with new vigour into an expanding war effort. There can, of course, be no thought of depreciating what America accomplished during her first year as a belligerent. Making reasonable allowanco for the difficulties by which she was faced, she accomplished, wonders. In supplying the Allies on an enormous scale with food, material, and money _ she has rendered indispensable services. Her .fighting forces on land and sea aro already a formidable addition to tho Allied strength, and she is far advanced in tho organisation of a great aerial navy and in a vast programme of merchant ship construction. But all that America has yet accomplished is surpassod in importance by the great awakening that came to hor people with the opening of the German offensive in France. Tho grim determination to which the nation has now been stirred is a far better guarantee than oven the most impressive material achievement that it will givo tho Allies the support they need to win the war.