New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-28
German Retreat
Continues; Allies
Suspect a Trick
Berlin's Silence on Ancre
Withdrawal May Mean
Ruse by Hindenburg
British Get More Ground
Advance Almost a Mile, and
Now Menace Main Rail-
road at Bapaume

London, Feb. 27.-The Germans still
are retreating beyond the Ancre, with
the British still pressing forward
swiftly. General Coughs troops have
now established themselves in Ligny,
just one mile south of Bapaume, and
the latter stronghold is expected to fall
into their hands at any moment. II
is highly probable that the German
troops have already evacuated Ba-
paume.
North of Serre, on the right wing OF
the British line on the Ancre, Coughs
forces pushed forward and captured
the western and northern defences OF
Pusieux, while to the southwest OF
Ligny the village of lie Barque was
also occupied.
These operations represent an ad-
vance b. the British of nearly a mile
on both TANKS of the Ancre-Somme line.
With Bapaume apparently abandoned,
military critics here are at loss to
say where the present German retiring
movement will end. While they are
skeptical regarding the persistent re-
ports that Prince Rupprecht intends to
give up the entire Arras salient, the
continued retreat Of the Germans be-
yond the line it was presumed they
would hold has strengthened the theory
that the withdrawal is going to be far
greater than was foreseen here.
Germany Silent on Retreat
Not the slightest mention of the
great withdrawal has been made in the
German official communication or in
unofficial reports. Apparently linden
burg has decided it would be unwise to
explain the movement to the German
people at the present time.
The great question being discussed
here is whether the German commander
is preparing TO strike a prodigious
blow in some other sector before the
British can start effective operations
north Of the Ancre and Somme.
The official reports of General Haig
are so cautious and so terse that there
is no indication of how far the Ger
mans are now from the British ad-
vanced units, or whether there is even
clear weather for the British aerial
forces TO discover the extent of the
enemy's withdrawal.
If the Germans should take their
Gated they are established, they would
have an advantageous position so far
as communications are concerned. Be.
hind their line would run the loop rail.
road which has Cambria as its chief
depot. This line passes through Ba.
paume and Achiet-le- Grand north to
Boisleux, thence east through st. Leger
and Croiselles, and thence back to Cam
brai.
Besides this railroad there is a net
work of excellent French highways,
especially good between Bapaume and
Csmbrai and Bapaume and Arras.
Somme Campaign at Stake
Upon the ability of the Germans 10
hold their present alignment depend
the future course OF the Somme cam
paign. The British are now less tina.
two miles from the loon railroad at the
nearest point. AS soon as their heavy
guns are brought up it is bound to
come under severe fire.
1t is impossible to see how the Ger
mans can hold Bapaume, if they cherish
any desire to do so, after the British
artillery is brought forward. From the
ridge on which lie Irles, Ligny, lie
Paraue and Warlencourt, the British
guns could rake the enemy's positions
in Bapaume.
Along the remainder of the West
front fighting was limited to patrol en-
counters and raids, the British and the
French troops carrying out many sue
cessful operations of minor character.
Berlin makes mention of numerous
English advances" on the front. report
ing that only one, to the east of Arras
reached the German trenches. The