The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-02
Mythical Major Moraht.
An Inspired Interpreter of the I'M
perial Intentions.

ptihi hhtthtiOiSs
Providence Journal: Major Morabt
whose writings on subtle German
strategy are often nicely timed to re.
lieve the popular mind Of any impress
sion which events might create that
something has gone wrong with the
perfect war machine, now explains the
advantages Of open over trench war.
fare. "The aim or the German de-
fense," says the major, solemnly, "ls
even at the cost of abandoning the
dead, together with war materials and
portions Of positions, to maintain our
own strength while destroying that Of
the enemy and preventing him from
attaining his strategical aim; for this
purpose 1t is necessary to keep the
fighting line mobile"
There is a well-founded suspicion in
other countries that there is no such
person as Major Moraht" but that IL
is pen name affixed to articles writ.
ten at the war office. The Moraht
articles are clearly inspired, whoever
does the actual writing. Purporting to
be impartial studies by a military ex-
pert, the situations are apt to be pc,.
verted to suit German sensibilities.
Moraht is often as skillful at this as the
lawyer for the defense who knows his
client is guilty.
The natural bias becomes marked, of
course, when situation Is glaringly un.
favorable to the war machine. There are
two striking words in the majors lates,
defense" and necessary" Tho
beclouded admission is that on the
western front the high command is So.
completely committed to defensive war.
at 1t has been found necessary
to abandon the whole plan Of war
which had been elaboratey and ex.
pensively constructed, and clung to for
two years.
That original plan was a defensive
one, though the German staff never ad.
mitted It. Trench warfare is element
ally defensive. open warfare may be.
II is now necessary, according to the
mythical Major Moraht TO keep tho
fighting line mobile" But for two
years the German strategists believed
It necessary TO keep the fighting limo
immobile. Major Moraht agreed with
them, Of course. He was enthusiastic
for trenches What has changed their
minds?
The Germans had their chance 20
Keep II mobile after the battle Of the
Marne. in September, 1914. They chose
to dig in, and they stayed dug i'm up
to last summer Then the British and
French artillery began to dig them out.
They did not want TO get out in 1916
any more than they wanted to get
under the earth I'm 1914. With the
opening of the present year. as the
major says, It became necessary"
came necessary"
That a stronger defense can be made
In the open than in the trenches IS seis
evident. For II is no longer possible 10
make any defense in trenches. II does
not follow that a successful defense
can now be made by the Germans I'm
the open. That will be determined this
summer.
Major Moraht hopes for the best, but
assuming the lofty attitudes of an i'm.
partial expert, refrains from prophecy
He simply points out that the high
command has adopted the proper
course. Nobody will disagree with him.
There was, no alternative. II was a
case OF abandoning the amazing system
.of underground fortifications construct.
ed impregnably, as was thought. Of
concrete and steel or OF being blown
to pieces or buried In them.