The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-07-07
EVERY sCANTY, ARE SUCCESSES
OF THE GREAT ALLIES OFTEN
SIvE, SAY GERMAN MILL.
TARY CRITICS

Berlin, July SIN view Of the fact
that the initial attack of every Often
slve is hardest to Withstand, owing TO
the unavoidable effect of surprise with
superior masses OF troops and accumu-
lated ammunition, the military critics
here are unanimous in considering that
the great offensive in the vest has
made a showing which can not encour-
age Germany's opponents.
Major Moraht, in The Tageblatt,
calls the Anglo-French successes
very scanty". He writes:
THE critical moment for the success
of great attempt to breach nne is
the time between the beginning Of the
enemy infantry attacks and of the
counter attacks which the defenders
are able to make after concentrating
their forces. The enemy's success in
the four days offensive, from this
viewpoint, is very small. The enemy
succeeded in overrunning the demol-
ished German first trenches in several
places with heavy forces. The resis-
lance could not be great because little
except dead remained in the plowed-
up trenches. Where the Germans
stood on the defensive stubborn fight
! ing occurred, and, as the enemy re-
ports, the Germans fought obstinately
to the last man.
AT other points the German lead
ers, with cool elaboration and with
troops well in hand, bent back elasti-
cally. This counter tactic involved
the enemy in embarrassment. As he
was unable to impart the finishing
stroke to the defenders with the first
drum fire he had to begin anew with
artillery preparation o rattack the I'M
weakened defenders as an alternative.
The reports of the offensive must
prove directly discouraging to the at
lacking forces.
Paris heard the cannon thunder as
in 1914. For let It again be said that
the operative efficiency Of the attack
ing British army is inadequate to
break all our rows of lines, which have
been most thoroughly constructed
and expel us from France and Bel
GUM"
The Morgen Post critic says the
latest reports show that the British
and French are gaining no ground, but
that the General Powers have made
gains in Volhynia and south of the
Dniester.
Other comments follow the same
lines, absolute confidence being ex-
pressed that the Entente Allies are
unable to menace the German lines
anywhere
The Frankfurter Zeitung refers to
the French advance on Peronne as ere
Imarkable," and continues as follows:
1--WE know we are only at the begin
ming of the battle. The first pushes
usually are dangerous, but II stands
to reason that the introduction of very
important reserves by the attacking
armies which is to be expected to a
certainty. will impose a very heavy
task on the defenders. There is no
question that the British will attempt
to profit in their new offensive by the
experience they gained through failure
at the battle of Loos."
The Berlinger Tageblatt's corre-
spondent at the German headquarters
says the fighting north of the Sommc
has lessened the prospects of the En-
teDte Allies for quick and systematic
advance.
The Volks-Zeitung, of Cologne, says
that in the widest circles of the Ger
man people the feeling prevails that
If the allies offensive is held up Ger
many will have accomplished a great
deal.