Show I ROPE HOPE OF SHORT WAR i DASHED BY Iff RUSSIA ARMY AUTHORITIES RECOGNIZE THAT MONTHS MUST ELAPSE BEFORE VICTORY CAN COME Russian Collapse Will Release German Forces to Bolster Up Line Front Where American Ameri- Ameri can Troops Are Arc to Be Engaged Washington No No attempt Is made macle here to minimize the seriousness of or orthe the the- situation In time the war theatres in Europe The United States Is in tIt the war and an will go through with It but any hope of ri a short struggle has gone glimmering with It Ii the apparent alent almost complete collapse of the Russian war machine The development was not unexpected ed b by many army officers When the time offensive of July 1 was started by hy bythe hythe bythe the Russian forces the tIme most frequent comment heard here was that It was probably the dying d Ing kick of the old Russian machine For the United States the Russian collapse ma may have an nn imme immediate and direct bearing hearing It will if the time German general staff starr presses Its advantage release release re rc- re- re lease additional l German forces to bolster holster holster hol- hol ster up the time western front where the American troops are to be engaged The German line In the tIme west vest has not notI been I en seriously Impaired at nt any nn point officials here believe helle Germans Improve Wea Weakest est Front Jt lt has been heen noted note In fact that flint the time theone theone one strate strategic lc advantage gained In recent recent recent re re- re- re cent fighting fi wits was gained by h the Ger Ger- mans l an Many officers here believe c that when a n small sector of the time British Ili line lineIn lineIn linein In Bel Belgium lum was overwhelmed the G r- r mans mans Improved their weakest front materially That view Is based on opinion that the time only hope of decisive attainments for the allies millies in the west lies In iii rolling up the tIme German rl right ht flank where it reaches the time sea In Belgium Bel- Bel glum gium If that could coul be done one it is argued that the U-boat U bases could be he stamped out and anti the only emily offensive Instrument of the Germans be lie eliminated entirely or made muade ma e ineffective It would require combined army ni-my and navy operations for it would be necessary necessary sar sary to force a lan landing ln behind the German German Ger Ocr man line and force foice the whole right flank back from the sea ea as us a result re The price of such a victory victor against the time U-boats U anti and lemma German shore batteries bat hat teries probably would be appalling and there is nothing to Indicate that thit t the effort Is being seriously considered Allies Can Hold Line Repot Reports from flom prance official and unofficial so fa far as us known give no cheering picture of what must he be done There appears ars no doubt douht that the time allied ll line can stand against an any force Germany Ger Ger- many can bring n against it Even en the Russian disaster does not affect that situation But to gather uther the tIme necessary strength for a successful offensive e will vill take time and ample sea sei transportation tion facilities If the time United States I Ito IP to furnish the needed surplus of men airplanes munitions and food The he transportation problems before the United States both on land and sea are constantly Increasing asing In scope It seems certain now that whole hole railroad railroad rail ran road rond s systems stems will have to be set up In France to give the time American line hue the tIme flow of war ar materials and men that It must have to press home an un attack |