From a military point of view, the prospect of a
new Russian offensive is one of the pivots of our hopes. Such an offensive coming at a time when the German Eastern front is weakened, when the ` '-beats show signs of failing, when our unceasing strokes on the Western front grow in strength, and the vast American Army is forming dimly in the rear, might change the whole face of the war this summer. Without it we can be certain of nothing in the immediate future. The appeal of General Alexeieff to the troops; and the reply of the Army representatives that they will guarantee "more combativeness," are very good signs. The declaration of policy by the Coalition Government has for its main principle the phrase : "Peace with no annexations and no punitive indemnities." But this phrase is admittedly governed by the decision to make no separate peace and to demand guarantees against the recurrence of war. That, after all, is a policy which suits us all. When we come to make sure of the points we shall be astonished if we have the least cause for differing from the Russian Government.
