may be averted by such means; but victory cannot be
achieved. Germany, with the exception of a single incident south of
Cambrai, had been on the defensive since the close of the battle of
Verdun early in the summer of 1916. The necessity for offensive action
at some time was therefore absolute if Germany was to win. But there
were many considerations which made that time the present. Germany could
not afford to wait.

[Sidenote: Divisions are brought from Russia.]

The middle of March found Germany at the height of her man power. Never
before since the outbreak of war had the opportunity been presented for
the concentration on the western front of practically her entire
effective strength in both men and guns. For this, of course, Russia was
responsible. The divisions which were holding the Russian lines had been
carefully picked over, and from men thus selected new divisions were
formed and old ones filled up. All were sent to France as rapidly as
possible, the movement occupying the time from September, 1917, to
March of this year. Similarly, all available artillery was concentrated
in the west, the eastern front being practically denuded. Germany then
was in immediate danger of being diverted by activities of the Allies in
other fields.

[Sidenote: America could not furnish numbers in 1917.]

The Allies on the other hand were by no means at their full strength.
America, who stepped into the war just in time to take Russia's place,
still remained impotent, unable to place in Europe numbers in any way
commensurate with the situation. But America was gathering impetus as
she went. And while she was a negligible force in 1917--except in the
matters of food and money--and would probably be a negligible force in
1918 subject to the same exception, in 1919 she was almost certain to
turn the tide strongly against the Central Powers. Even in 1918 there
could be expected a steady though small stream of men across the ocean,
who being fresh, eager, and unwearied, might cause trouble. Germany then
had the one chance to win, and that chance demanded that she strike with
all her power before America reached the field. To delay meant not a
drawn game but certain defeat. For if Germany is ever confronted in
Europe with the full strength of America in men and in the machinery of
war, she will be crushed.

[Sidenote: Germany must strike before America reaches the field.]

[Sidenote: The Russian situation is disquieting.]

Fina