New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-22

the french now push up through THIS gap,
they would be in the rear of the forts Of
Rheims, held by the Germans, the fort Of
Brimont, from which the Germans have
bombarded Rheims during the last two
years, and a general German retreat be-
tween the Vesle and the Argonne would
be necessary.
The Precedent of 1915
We have, then, the problem Of the new
offensive. Two great forces Of Allies ara
striking at either end Of the Hindenburg
line, to which the Germans have retreated,
A break at either end would compel the
Germans to retire to the French from
tier A simultaneous break at both pointy
might mean the development and capture
Of large German forces between Scissors
and Lens, for the troops penetrating
through these breaks would be moving in
converging direction In the rear of the
German armies on that front
This situation entirely recalls that which
existed in September, 1915, when the Brit
ish made their great attack at Loos, CO.
incident with the French offensive in
Champagne; but at this time the Allies
lacked heavy artillery, the British army
was still unframed, and the operation was
made primarily to relieve the pressure
upon the defeated Russians and only with
the remote hope Of general victory in
France. 1t Is worth recalling also that at
the Battle of the Somme last year the
Allies were compelled to make their at
tack in advance of the completion of their
preparations because the situation at Yer
dun had become critical and the city
seemed likely to fall if German attention
was not at once directed elsewhere.
We may say that in the new offensive
the Allies have had the privilege of choos-
ing their own time and their own places Of
attack, save only as the German retreat
may have or may not have dislocated their
plans on the front between Scissors and
Arras. But it is we'll to bear in mind that
the Germans have also the men and the
material to make an offensive in the West
| if they choose, and that we must watch for
a German counter demonstration once both
Allied armies are committed to their great
offensive.
Five Millions of Fighting Men
On the other hand, it is equally possible
that the extent Of the British success at
Arras las dislocated the whole German
plan ana compelled the diversion TO the inn
/ perlled front of the troops that were in
tended to form necessary part Of Hin
denburg's new attack. If this proves to
be the case, then the British have by one
battle and at a single stroke wrested the
offensive from the Germans for the rest Of
the campaign, and this will be Of inesti-
nlable advantage because it leaves IL TO the
Allies to fix the time and place.o battle.
We have all of US become dulled by fa-
milarity to the magnitude of the cam
paigns of this war. Yet it is worth recall
ing that at the present moment not less
than five millions of fighting men are en-
gagged on the Western front in what must
prove the most tremendous and momentous
struggle of human history. We are seeing
three nations in arms putting forth their
ultimate strength, and the Battle Of Arras,
considerable success as it has been for the
British, must be accepted as only the pre-
lude to the great summer campaign. Il
remains possible that it will prove to have
been so decisive victory that German
plans will have been permanently dislo.
Gated, but, having recognized that posi-
bility, we must equally recognize the pos
sibility either Of German counter attack
before Arras. such as the Germans made
in Galicia last year, or successful opera
ton such as the Germans attained In Ru,
mania last year.