New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-03


nent line of German trenches on a front
of at least a dozen miles. At the Somme,
on the contrary, they were unable TO pierce
all the German lines at a single thrust,
that is, all the permanent outer crust, and
instead they had methodically to burst
their way through one line after another,
and they were not actually through the
whole first system of German defences at
the Somme until October, whereas by the
18th of last month the British advance
had forced its way through the four lines
which constituted the main German de-
fence and were pushing out toward re-
serve or Switch" lines in the rear.
Expensive Counter Attacks
The result of this original British sue
cess has been shown in the German tactics.
At the Somme there was very little Ger
man counter attacking. On the contrary,
as the British pushed through one line of
trenches after another, the Germans con-
structed new lines of trenches in the rear
When the battle began the country behind
BY the time the British had penetrated
their original line there were many other
systems all the way back to and behind
Bapaume But in the Battle of Arras the
British penetration was immediate and
complete, and as the German Switch"
lines were unfinished and relatively weak
the Germans were compelled to throw in
their reserves at once and by sheer mass
bring the British advance to pause while
they completed other reserve lines.
This was exactly what the French had
TO do at Verdun after the Germans, ad-
vancing about as fast and about as far as
the British advanced from Arras, had cut
straight through the original French sys-
TEN. 1t was by counter attacks, enor-
mously expensive in lives, marked by des-
perate hand-to-hand fighting, that the
French slowed down and halted the Ger
man advance while they put in new lines
on the heights of the Meuse.
It is clear that the Germans have now
used up a very large portion of that
strategic reserve which they had organ
lied behind the French and British fronts
for an offensive of their own. 1t is clear
that notwithstanding the fact that they
employed vast masses of men, the best
troops that they have, they have not sue
ceeded in holding down the British ad
vance, and this advance has already begun
to push forward again toward that
Switch" line running from Drocourt to
Queant which covers the break in the
German line made by the British. In the
same fashion, after having actually been
checked along the Scissors Rheims front.
the French are beginning to push forward
again and have completely cleaned up the
first and most of the second German lines
on this front.
Can the Germans Held?
The problem arises whether it will be
possible for the Germans TO maintain
themselves, as they had hoped, all through
the summer along their present lines, IN
view Of the superiority Of Allied numbers
and artillery and the great advantage or
position which both Allies have won al
sive. Bear in mind that had the British
and the French been able to start their
offensive in April last year, instead of
July. there seems to be no question that
they would have succeeded in compelling a
German retirement before autumn.
In any event, it is already time to CON
s.der the possibilities of a German retire
ment. Every one knows in general way
what this retirement would mean. Actual
". the French and British armies arc now
attacking at either side Of great salient,
which is the German position in France.
From the vicinity Of Arras to the neigh
borhood Of Scissors. that is, along the
bulge Of the salient. the German position
;e difficult to attack because of the very
strong ground on which it stands and be-
cause of the devastated districts before H.
but pushing out from Arras east and
southeast and pushing north and north
,yegt from Scissors and from the vicinity
If Rheims. the Allies are striking against
the neck Of this salient, and the position OF
the German troops within 1t becomes
steadily more dangerous.
A complete break through either by the
British or by the French would imperil all
the troops on the German line between the
Scarpe and the Suppes above Rheims. No
such penetration is likely, but, on the other
hand. a steady wearing is going on which IS
reducing one after another Of the original
A. 4 hpf
French and shortening the reserve
trenches in front Of the British, and 1t IS
always within the realm Of possibility that
there may be penetration and within
the realm Of probability that the actual
peril Of a penetration may lead the Ger