New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-02
Germans Continue Retreat
Under Pounding of British
Guns and Infantry
Mile and a Half Line
Taken in New Advance
London Believes Hindenburg
Is Saving Men for Great
Drive in West
By ARTHUR s. DRAPER
ny Cable to Tho Tnbune


London. March 1.-The Germans are
still swinging rapidly out Of the Arras
salient. To-day the British advanced
their line an average distance of 600
yards on front Of one and half
miles north of Miramont.
Information received in Paris states
that the Germans have already eyac-
mated Bapaume and taken up new line
running TO the cast Of the stronghold
through Fremicourt and Haplincourt
south to the Sally sector, on which the
entire line is pivoting.
This is highly probable. As pointed
out in these dispatches yesterday the
position Of Bapaume has become writ
ually indefensibie. From a chain OF
dominating heights less than mile to
the south and southwest Of the town
the British guns are pouring shell into
the remaining defences Of Bapaume,
and even command the important roads
connecting the town with Arras and
Cambria. While the Germans undoubt-
edly have left small detachments to de-
fend the city to the last moment, It's
fall is only matter Of hours.
Take IS Square Miles
Since last Sunday, when the extensive
retiring movement was begun, the Brit
ish have occupied thirty-six square
miles of French territory abandoned by
the enemy. together with ten important
towns, at least one of which-Gomme-
courts favOrably situated TO afford
an excellent base for Haig's future OPP
erations on this front. Though the
captures have been small, owing 10 the
skilful manner IN which the German re-
treat has been conducted. more than
21O0 prisoners we're picked up by the
British during the month Of February.
Il is self-evident that the German
retreat has reached such d depth that
II will take the British some time 10
bring forward their heavy artillery and
prepare for the seizure of the positions
. Immediately ahead If, as is likely,
trench fighting remains to be done
north of the Ancre and the Somme, the
British are now in exceptionally good
positions to blast the Germans out of
the remaining portions OF the Arras
salient. 1t is highly probable that the
retirement will eventually cost the en-
envy far more than was expected when
begun.
Public admiration is divided between
the skilful retreat carried out by the
Germans and the equally skilful pur-
suit by General Coughs troops. The
latter's manner % operating is regard
ed here and in France as model Of
prudent tactics.
Berlin Admits Retreat
To-night's official communication
from Berlin contains the first German
version of the withdrawal, though its
extent and magnitude is carefully con
cealed. The Berlin War Office merely
states that, "for special reasons"
part of their advanced positions on the
Ancre were "voluntarily and systemau-
cally" evacuated several days ago and
the defence placed in a prepared line.
No indication is given of the wide ad-
vance of the British forces, the state
ment merely mentioning that the enc
my's advanced troops were hampered
bv rear guard posts. The capture Of
1856 prisoners is claimed. The repulse
OF British assaults near Sally IS also
chronicled.
Whether the German retreat Will end
along the line from the Arras sector to
the Sally front, or whether it will con-
tinue further east toward Douai and
Cambria, only the events of the future
will show. Within week the British
have won at insignificant cost almost as
much territory as they occupied in the
FIVE months following September IL,
1915.
Germany Not Exhausted
General Maurice, Chief Of Military
Operations in the War Office. told me
to-day that he considered the British
we're now reaping the reward Of the
pressure they have eXerted constantly
throughout the winter. He was careful
20 add, however, that Cermany'c man
power. in his opinion, was far from c1-
kapsted.
Military chiefs refuse 10 speculate
on the ultimate depth and extent Of
the German withdrawal, but both Eng
lish ard French observers offer WIDE
range Of views regarding HindenburRs
possible plans. One belief is that he
intends 20 make another effort TO break
through 20 Calais as soon as the
Picardy line is shortened
The general view is that, whatever
the attack the German chief intends TO
make, Britain will bear the brunt. The
whole German strategy, on land and on
sea, in the last year or more has been
aimed at the weakening and the over
throw Of England
A view held TO b. Paris observers is
that the strategic retreat was made
necessary By the demand for troops on
the immense Russian and Rumanisn
fronts, and even in Italy.
Will Strike in West
This argument receives little support