THE KNOCK-OUT BLOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1917, Page 7

THE KNOCK-OUT BLOW.

STILL A LONG WAY OFF. Military men in the United States view the Russian debacle entirely from a professional viewpoint. They declare that neither the allied armies nor their navi,?s present any prospect of a 'knock out' blow to the common enemy; that the war, if pressed to a strict, military decision, involving the complete defeat of Germany, must continue at least two years longer, "unless something happens somewhere." One of the highest officers of the American army, who enjoys a nation-wide reputation, is reputed to have expressed himself after this fashion: "Conditions in Ireland and the labor situation in England are holding the British Army in Britain. The feeling in Ireland is very bitter, and England decs not feel that it would be safe, to withdraw from the country forces that would be available to meet any emergency in Ireland. For the same reason she hesitates to abandon the labor situation to itself, as there is considerable unrest and discontent among the working people. Therefore England has about approached the limit of the troop.-; she can spare for the western front, which is considerably short of the number necessary to create that preponderance of force which is essential to the effort oi breaking the German lines. In addition to the Irish and labor considerations, England must maintain at'home a very powerful force to prevent the possibility of what some persons have predicted—namely, an invasion of England by a German army. France, as the world knows, has called to the colors her last man, and this does not mean the last Frenchman In France merely, but the last man available for military service in every part of the world. There is no lack of war spirit, of marvellous morale, in France, and her eeor.omb' problems are not insoluble. But she must look to the United States or to Italy for troops for strength without which the German lines cannot be broken.

"Russia is not.playinr; out. but Russia is unable to employ now, and probably will not be able to employ for a considerable time any strength proportionate to her resources. Despite contrary reports. th« Russian sittu'tion from a military viewpoint is not even approachinz a crisis.