New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-20
The German Retirement - The
Second Phase


Second Phase
In leading article printed in this place
on Sunday, commenting on the capture OF
Bapaume. it was pointed out that this IN
cident might have three possible interpre-
tations. 1t might mean a mere local re-
tirement made necessary by British ad-
vances and comprehended in the surren-
der of the Bapaume-Arras salient and the
withdrawal to a new and straight line be
hind these two points. IL might mean a
retirement on very considerable scale,
the shortening of the German line in the
West. the surrender Of the Noyon salient
and the final halt at what has been de-
scribed as the Hindenburg line, namely
a new trench system based upon Douai,
Cambria, st. Quentin, La Fere and Laon.
II might mean general retirement of the
German forces TO the Franco-Belgian
frontier.
BY Sunday morning conditions had
already reached a point where 1t was
clear that the German retreat had gone
beyond the first possibility. By that time
the Germans were manifestly drawing out
OF the Noyon salient as well as that Of
Bapaume, and the retreat was going on
over a wide front, extending from Arras
TO Scissons-that is, some hundred and
twenty-five miles. What remained and re-
mains TO be discovered is whether it is
retreat to the Hindenburg line or to the
frontier. partial retirement on wide
front OF a general retreat from France.
Now the factors in the problem are
these: Three British and three French
armies are advancing on tolerably
straight front. The advance Is most con-
siderable in the centre and relatively or
absolutely Insignificant on the two ends.
These six armies have as their detectives
six considerable towns, which are recog-
nized as being inside that German system
Of defence known as Hindenburg's line.
Moreover. as each Of these six armies has
only a distance of rather less than twenty
miles 20 advance TO reach its objective. we
must know in few days at the most
whether the Germans mean TO stand on
the Hindenburg line or 10 go back 70 the
Belgian frontier.
The test Will be simple. One British
army, that at the north Of the field Of
operations, faces toward DoUai and must
advance over the Arras-Douai highway;
Il IL reaches Douai we shall know at once
that the Germans intend 10 90 TO the
frontier. But, as yet, this army has made
no material progress and there remains a
possibility that the Germans do not intend
10 leave the front Of Arras, but 10 stand
on a line from Arras back TO Cambria. We
may suspect the latter 20 be the case, If
there Is continued pause here.
The second British army is moving out
Of Bapaume along the Bapaume-Cambrai
highway. II has now less than fifteen
miles 20 20 20 reach Cambria, and before
4 gets 70 Cambria il must be clear whether
the Germans mean 20 defend this town or
not. The third British army is moving
out Of Peronne upon lie Catelet. It, too,
has only a relatively short distance 20
cover before IL finds out whether the Ger
man retreat is 20 be general or limited.
The first French army ia coming out Of
Roye; It's northern flank. joining the south
ern flank Of the third British army, has
reached and passed Nesle. and It's obiec-
tive, ST. Quentin. Is less than twenty miles
east. A second French army has reached
Noyon and Is moving up the valley Of the
Oise. with Ia Fere az 10 objective. II II
reaches Ia Fere we shall know that the
Germans are going % make long retreat,
because Ia Fere il the keystone Of the
arch Of the Iindcnburg line, AZ Noyon
vas Of the cd lire. and the dismantled
forts ~ Ia Ftrc. which were once a por-
flon Of the second line Of French defence
would be utilized ~ The Germans II they
intended 10 make a stand between Noyon
and the frontier. Finally, third French
army. based on scissors. has Laon for It's
objective, but. like the British army a.
Arrss. IL has made uncomfortable advance
a. yet and there remains the problem as