New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-18
Spring Campaign on
West Front May Be
Decisive One
GERMANY BEGINS
MASSING FORCES
Troops Drawn from Rus
sia and Rumania -
First Blow Is Near
By ARTHUR s. DRAPER

London, Feb. 1.-THE campaign
Of 1917 is about to open with a great
spring offensive that will perhaps be
the decisive one of the war on the
West front, the military observers
are agreed. | have just returned
from visit to the British lines in
France, and ! know how well pre-
pared and how perfectly confident
is every soldier, from general to
Tommy.
The same condition is true through
out the French army, which, after
two and a half years of terrific
strain and sacrifice. feels that 1t
knows how to beat the enemy.
From neutral reports, from admis-
sions made by German prisoners,
and from much other information,
the military students have reached a
belief that Hindenburg expects and
has prepared for the supreme strug'
gle of the war in the West.
Troops which have fought in Russia
others from Rumania, have recently ar
rived on the West front. The new di-
visions and the fresh drafts also are
concentrated there. The bulk of the
munitions and the supplies are being or
have been sent there.
Air Service Keyed Up
The air service has been keyed ur
by frantic efforts to regain the su-
periority which the Allied fiers wrest-
cd from the Germans last summer.
Hundreds of thousands of men are Dig
ging feverishly to strengthen the hnes'
and in every other way possible prepa-
ration has been completed.
Where and when the first great blow
will fall are the questions which the
experts and generals are debating. The
Allies seem to be willing that the Ger
man should strike first-to let him
break his battslions and expend his
shells against their lines before they
throw their reserves Of both INTO a
crushing attack.
push by the Germans against Rus
sia seems hardly probable; nor is there
much expectation Of a renewed cam
paign in Rumania. Macedonia is con-
sidered merely a sideshow, to be
watched till the great battle develops.
Italy is a poor battle-ground, especially
for this season Of the year.
Hindenburg directs everything
armies. navy. submarines. aircraft and
statecraft-for the Teutons now. he
will use them al in his new campaign.
For the Allies Russia remains the un-
known quantity. Brussiloh may exceed
his feat of last year. and yet fall far
short of a victory that would cripple
the German.
What Hindenburg May DO
II may be Hindenburg's plan to deal
q heavy blow at France while striking
az Britain by means of submarine at
tacks on her mercantile marine. at her
navy by sending the Kiel fleet forth 70
battle, and at ner cities by new Yep
pelin raids. The Germans reason that
France is much weaker than Britain IN
man power, rood and money. SO 1t IS
possible that the latest thrust in the
Champagne may be the first step IN his
great operation. But 1t is much more
probable that he is simply felntlng TO
cover a stroke somewhere else.
If Hindenburg plans 70 attack the
British. the question is where he VIII
hit. For a month past he has been
shelling the wreck of Ypres from has
bositions along the ridge TO the south
east. This is the battlefield where the /
Kaiser threw away a quarter of mill
ion men in October, 1914. in his futile
effort to preak through TO the sea at
Calais. He sacrificed thousands upon
thousands more the following spring,
hut failed. IL is Just possible that the
German will Try it again.
Further south, around Armentleres,
the Boche has also attempted raid after
raid recently, and his artillery has (
been constantly busy. All along the
line. including Hpres and Arras, IN
fact, there is unceasing activity. AT
two points the topography of the coun-
try give Germany striking advantages I
One Of these is the Hollebeke Ridge, /
southeast Of Ypres. The other is the
Vimy Ridge, northeast of Arras.
Fine Fighting Country
The finest lighting country lies be- /
tween Armentieres and La Bassee' T,
nearer to the Belgian border. until a F,
thaw turns the frozen earth OF this =
sector into a sea of Flanders mud.
Hindenburg may strike north Ci .
Ypres or south OF Arras, along the .
Somme front, or he may strike at sew
eral points simultaneously. lie needs
territory-some physical proof OF VIC
tory-to buoy up the hopes OF his
countrymen and improve the morale
of his soldiers, something TO give the
nation and the armies the feeling that
they are winning.
Where Sir Douglas Haig Will strike
and when the blow will fall, 1t Is i'm
possible 10 speculate. But ! venture
10 predict that when he does strike
the world will marvel at the power
.Gnrf nf the |