d, and
it was intimated to me in good quarters that the Germans would enjoy no
Christmas in their trenches. The Allies advanced, counted their dead
and wounded, and ceased in the attack.

I do not believe that any great forward movement can be made on either
side from or against these trenches in the winter time. In good
strategy and diplomacy, the break-up of Germany should come from other
quarters.

There is considerable typhoid arising from the trench-work, but I heard
it stated in medical circles that the Servian troops, with their milder
climate, had found a new way of healing wounds. Not having the
hospital base and equipment of other countries, they heal their wounds
in the open air with the result that there is no tetanus or lock-jaw.
In Switzerland human tuberculosis is now being cured by exposing the
chest, directly over the affection, to the full rays of the sun.

The casualties of this war have been tremendous for France. No lists
of her dead or wounded are published; it was at first a life-and-death
struggle. While the total casualties--killed, wounded, missing, and
prisoners--were estimated in the press reports and by the people as
600,000, I happen to know that they were more than 1,000,000. Of
these, of course, one third or more will return to the battle-line, and
the French have the satisfaction of knowing that the German losses are
far larger. But, viewed from a financial standpoint, if this war is
not too prolonged or too costly in life and treasure, France will
emerge from it rejuvenated and reenergized.

Her people are serious and determined as never before. They now
welcome strong work and strong hands, and if the Republic does not
respond to the responsibilities of the hour, they will not as in 1870
burn and destroy, but will set up another government in quick order and
wipe out the weakness and inefficiency found to exist when the strain
came in August, 1914.

The French nation has never before been put to such a trial. In every
other war there has been no threat of the destruction of France.
Indeed, up to 1870 France was the great nation of Europe, greatest in
war as well as greatest in peace. When she attacked Germany in 1870,
she started for Berlin with full confidence in her greatness. And when
she paid to the Germans a billion dollars in 1871, it was with scorn
and contempt: "Take your money and get out!"

When Bismarck in 1875 discovered the prosperity of France, he cunnin