Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-04-28
This Is the Concensus of
Opinion Among Well In
formed French.
KAISER TO RISK
GREAT OFFENSIVE
Failure OF Crown Prince to Take Ver-
dan Makes 1t Necessary for Ger.
mans to Stake Everything on
Second Blow at Fortress.
(By C. F. Bertelli.)

Paris, April 27.-That the forthcon1
ing 80 days are likely to be the most
momentOus period of the war anC
will definitely and finally determine
the fate of Germany, is the concensus
Of opinion in well-informed Paris Cir
cles, which I have canvassed as tc
events of the immediate future.
Americans will not understand the
importance of the happenings in
Europe during the past few days, I'M
less they consider them as forming
part OF the colossal stroke the kaiser
has decided to make for an early and
favorable peace.
According to my information, the
following is the logical sequence of
European events this year:
First, in consequence of the break
down of Germany's neareastern cam
naien. caused by Premier Brands
salonica coup, and Russia's success
full invasion of Armenia, the kaiser
decided to attempt to smash the al
lies western front this spring. being
further impelled to this drive by the
growing tendency of the allies to act
unitedly on all fronts. which tendency
was confirmed by the March confer
ence in Paris.
German Plan Compromised.
Second, the Verdun offensive was
the first stroke of the imperial staff's
plan. The crown princes bloody
failure has gravely COMPROMISED the
whole plan, but the staff accepts the
sporting chance that remains and will
strike a second blow. This, Paris ex-
perts say, will fall on the British
front.
Third, yesterdays news included
the item that the German frontier had
been closed since Monday; that mails
cannot pass and that even foreigners
cannot quit Germany until 70 days
have elapsed 1t should be remem-
bered that similar measure preced-
ed the opening of the Verdun hostlh-
ties.
Fourth, in order to strike the Brit
ish army a deadly blow, the imperial
staff has preceded it with several dra-
matte demonstrations against the
British islands. designed to throw the
London war office into disarray, and
to brighten the population. The fill
clustering affair off Ireland, the Dub
lin instruction and the combined
naval demonstration against the east
coast of England, may be regarded
as preliminaries to battle in Flan-
ders quite as furious as the Verdun
battle.
Fifth British official bulletin
published today records determined
efforts by the Germans to drive back
accommodating war planes.
Kaiser Stays on Front.
Sixth, the kaiser remains on the
western front, with General Won
Falkenheyn, the chief of the general
staff, during the crisis with the Unit,
Ell States, and it is believed he will
witness the opening of the forthcom-
ing battle, probably addressing his
troops as he did at the beginning OF
the drive on Verdun.
Reports of the kaiser's impending
concession to President Wilson on the
submarine question can only be &C
copied as probably true in view o.
the fact that the kaiser intends to
solace the German disappointment by
a terrific attack on the British line.
Well-posted Frenchmen understand
that if the German emperor could
smash the British army, he could at
ford to call off his submarines from
the British overseas commercial
routes.