To such an ultimatum the German General Staff had perforce
to yield, just as they yielded when the Hungarians made a similar demand, and instead of forcing the pace in the West, which is always the essential German objective, invaded Russia in order to save Hungary. Now, with the German purpose in Russia—i.e., the destruction of the Russian armies—still unfulfilled, the Germans have to switch off their minds and their energies to opening up communications with Turkey—a commitment which goes far to spoil their efforts both in the West and in Russia. In fact, looked at from the German point of view, the Germans have three ragged and incomplete schemes on their hands—the scheme for invading France and taking Calais, if not Paris; the scheme for destroying the Russian armies, if not for actually occupying Petrograd, Moscow, and Kiev; and, finally, the new venture in Serbia, also incomplete—a venture which, if it meets with had luck during the winter, may bring Roumania down upon their flank.
