Evening star., 1916-10-01
forts were made to get the chancel-

forts were made to get the chancel-
lor''
One of the significant remarks of the
German chancellor was his declaration
that he was not able to answer in de-
tail the charges made that his govern
ment was weakening and that detailed
public explanation might cause the en-
emy to herald German doubt as to the
eventual outcome of the war. This
fact alone. more than any other. possi-
bly, will preclude extended attacks
upon the chancellor. if anything will,
because of the general German desire,
even among the most radical socialists,
to maintain a show of solid front
against the enemy. Many German lead
policies of the chancellor, still refuse
publicly to harp their views for fear
of enemy misinterpretatfon. There
may be sharp cleavage of opinion as
to military methods. but it may be ex-
pected that though some efforts will
be made to get the scalp of the chan
cellor. there always will be voiced de-
termination to continue the struggle.
BY virtueNiof sshe continued opposi-
ton. some under ministers III the Pres
(: r 4 ent Gsrmxp cabi-
Kaiser Believes in net may be re-
His Chancellor. ~ the ora ,hst
mistakes of grevious character have
been made. but the kaiser has shown
no signs of wavering in his declaration
that the chancellor will remain at the
helm of state until Germany's present
troubles have ended. Whether the
kaiser has faltered and this oft-ex-
pressed confidence in his chief adviser
has weakened. naturally is not known
at the present time. but for the pres
ent. at least, it must be presumed that
he has not.
While German political and military
leaders profess to believe all is well
with German armies in the field and
declare that eventually the French,
British, Russians and other allies are
to be ignominfously defeated, events
during the week just closed do not
in themselves Justify the optimism
While admitting that the enemy has
made marked gains along the west
ern front, the Germans continue to say
with much enthusiasm that the French
and British as yet have not been able
to break through their lines. This
reiterated statement has had a calm
ing effect upon the German people,
who have grown. it is declared, skep-
tical to degree in regard to German
chances on the western front, but the
fact of the whole matter is that it is
not the plan of either Cen Haig, who
is in command Of the British, or of
Gen. Foch. who Is successfully lead
ing the French hosts, to break through
the Teutonic lines. Rather wonid they
push them back bit by bit. first here
and then there. During the present
war 1t has been conclusively proven,
as previously stated in these reviews.
that frontal attacks have seldom sue
ceeded, and only then at a cost far
out Of proportion to the value of ter
ritory achieved.
content to press their advance through
.enveloping tactics
Carnage Great on which, it Is DE-
clared, have re-
ture of fully 10000 prisoners since the
somme offensive began. Although the
French and British losses have been
immense, they have IN no wise COM
pared with the casualties inflicted
Teutonic prisoners themselves, The
carnage has been great on that stretch
of battle front running from i'm
mediately south of the River Ancre
TO the regions south of Chaulnes. And
as the battle continues and as the
French and British press forward. the
Germans continue to fall back. theiI
counter attacks having failed to wres,
one inch of ground from the entente
armies. The Germans profess to be
falling back upon a highly fortified
line. about two miles 20 the east OF
Bouchayesnes, but allied military
critics and observers at the front are
inclined to discount this claim. and de.
clare that as long as Foch ano
Haig keep up their present tactics they
VIII continue to sweep the enemy to-
ward the Rhine.
During the week just closed the en-
tente armies scored quick and striking
successes both at Combles and Thiep-
falling before them. The capture OF
combles makes easier the progress oi
the British toward Bapaume. which al
ready is under their guns. while the
French will be able to press farther
TO the east between Combles and
Bouchavesnes to the soutnward with.
out great peril of enveloping move.
ments.
The fall Of Combles was the first biz
event of the week. The British drew
their lines little closer from the north
while the French brought pressure from
stormed and the French and British
side by side. moved to the eastward
German efforts to halt them proving o1
little avail. 1t was a battle of In
tensest fury that ragged around Com
bles, the Germans making every On.
munitions which they bad assembled
u ~ s y Is -