Although there may be danger of being almost too optimistic
at the moment, one cannot possibly be too optimistic about what will happen when the full Allied strength is brought to bear. Already, although only a small proportion of the American Army has been used, we are impressed by the incalculable value of physical freshness. We and the French, conscious of the vast military experience which we had gained in four years of war, did not at first make enough allowance for how far the physical freshness and enthusiasm of the Americans would compensate for want of experi- ence. We know better now, and we can say with confidence that when the American armies are fully trained they will be irresistible. Another point to the good is the remarkable success both British and French troops have had in overcoming the machine-gun resist- ance of the retreating Germans. That success is appreciably due to the latest type of tank, but it is not chiefly due to that. As Sir Frederick Maurice points out—and we may say here that his recent articles in the Daily Chronicle written after a visit to the front have been most illuminating—the real credit is due to the better training and the unceasing personal inventiveness of the infantry.
