New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-20
VIII Gcrn1anu Shorten Her Lines in the Wed3

possible for the Germans 70 use Bspsur'
as centre for supplying their troops BE-
tween Arras and Peronne.
Now, the advances OF the British and q,
French in the past few days, the diminishing
intensity Of German counter-attacss and he
growing frankness OF Berlin official stat.
ments in cOnceding the loss Of villages, no.
tardily. as at first, but promptly, all pou,
toward a decision on the part Of Gernn
high command TO "cut their losses" 10 tbs
sector, TO hold on 10 the last possible no
ment take as large a toll as is possible o.
their opponents, but 10 retire at the fis
moment rather than to counter-s ttsek +"
the French did in the critical hours before
Ncrdun.
Il is not possible to forecast The extent o.
a probable German retreat. There he'H
may be anything like a general retreat. ="
may continue 20 see changes, Of themselw
slight. for many days or weeks Yet y =
clear that in certain sectors even this hmW
retreating will ultimately compel retirement
in adjoining sectors TO keep the alignment
This is why so many writers have alres'l
decided that the Germans will stand On
the Arras- Cambrai-St. Quentin-La Fere-Ls''
the Germans a line substantially straight;
would abolish all perils 10 their communes'
tons and IL would shorten the front, whict
has been heightened and will he stu more
heightened if the Allied gnawing goes on iof
a few more weeks
Assurance Of Final Victory
If they arc not exceedingly short o. n'h
the Germans will not make general retrsa.
They will not do this because the moral e.
feet at home would be considerable and u
France il would be tremendous. 70 vouo y
the assurance Of final victory, Tor u YOU.
be practically the liberation Of France a1'
Germany would no longer have s'ns,
hold upon the French which might serve
basis for bargaining when the time o'""
to discuss peace.
But. in addition, if the Germans rs''
fighting over every mile the resuf WIZ
the total destruction Of the country "'
which they retreat, and the German op.
nandcrs plainly reckon that the Freneh p
pic will presently weary Of having all w
northern country turned into oesen -.
waste, and the same ruin oYer'sSe -.
RoubaiX, Tourcoing St. Quentin ana
which has overtaken Arras. scissors hn'~
and Verdun.
If you are TO believe one school Of 81,
mentators. and they have q strong app'D
credencc, the Germans have actually 'sS'5
the point where their reserves are eAhs' -
Mr.. Hlaire Belloc l. the best eApoDtL
this view. and he presents weekly interes-,..
evidence to support it. This is the fr a.
view. the view Of the French oheers' ~,
JofTrc down. the view that Jofre has re'.-
expressed both publicly and in priYssN. ~
with Americans, who have repeated n''
10 nc. las
In the opinion Of these men 1ermSDy N
no more men Immediately available @h' =,
have few men before next spring VIZ -.
class Of 1918 will be available. Now ,,.s
view of the French staff is correct arc
naturally based upon very VIDE "a
information and evidence. there VII 10
shortening Of the German lines IN u' ia,
before winter. and it will not Dc III:
change; il will be retirement Jar 80
the present front and the eyacua'0H
OF France.