New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

ERMANY is massing her strength
for one more attempt to crush
- France. particularly befove Amer
ica can be Of any weight in the field, ac-
cording to French critics, the military eX-
merit Of The New York Tribune and GER
tain London sources. There will also
he n political offensive, in the opinion OF
"Tbe PHILADELPHIA Ledger" On the other
hand, large section of opinion, Rhlle ad-
hitting the imminence of some sort OF blow
AGAINST the Allies, does not fear the at
tack. but welcomes it, while another source
qoes so far as to dismiss the idea OF
great German offensive in the West, pre-
dieting that it will first come either against
Italy or Greece.
Which opinion will prove correct!
That thousands Of German troops have
been released from the Russian front ana
arc now being moved to the West is gen
orally accepted Accounts from the bat
tlefront tell Of large troop movements
18th bv rail and overland. The French by
.econuoissance have discovered new divl-
sions opposite them. II is announced that
Austrian troops will for the first time take
mart in a Western offensive. Indeed
f,olirq of decided depression regarding
n,e military situation both on the west
front and in Italy has become noticeable
here" saws dispatch from London, Whlch
adds a discouraging note over the impress
sion that some one blundered at Cani-
b,ai allowing the Germans very largely 10
rul6fv Byng's splendid stroke.
Moreover. German comment is also taken
o.. ;,5icsto new trial by the sword. Inc
Munich Neueste Nachrichten" publlshes
IN ;ntcr,ieyy with Count Karolyi, leader
NJ tho Hungarian Liberals, IN which nc
saws. eve shall be settled on the chances
.f ,o,co only af'qr events which VIII
take place in the c.ning month Hurio"
also reports the semi-oiiicial "Norddeu'-
Tho Zcitunc" saying that the Austro-1er-
,.., advance in Italy has accomplished
an that was expected or desired TINS au-
,.,,,n and is likely to be suspended WIN
ont Going beyond the Plave 'front.' as 'n'
,;c,bcr command is determined to conceh-
+rato forces on the West front OF Ihe
Allies ~
This attack. according TO Lincoln Eyre
writing from Paris to "Ihe Ne" io'n
World" is going to be against France anu
+ho French are steeling themselves for an
o,hor Verdun. II will not come lmmeul-
atelv. but it IS forming. According 10
Lieutenant Colonel Rousset, the military
critic Of the Petit Parisien'
a1, Is against MS )the FRENCH that .n Tne
,..,n,s, ,aort is being prepared. Inv
cos1ition armies arc badly used up o"ins ~
s,,ccessive efforts they have hso 10 mon
nost everywhere. Even II we, TOO are '''.'
of this long war. at least VIC nave '"e
faction Of seeing behind US ana oo"i'ns W
belp us, the new, powerful, cohpS.' ""u '0
80. go brought 20 us from America.
fulv realize that our enemies hopo TO nnish
tbo war before Americas Intervention They
FORGET Verdun and tho User. We snail hold
them IS long as necessary, and prepare, with
the help Of our new allies, the decisive blow.
When the blow comes IL will find our enemies
considerably weakened ny the supreme at
tempts they will have made
Gustaye Herye. writing in LA Vic
toire,' thus speaks Of the possibilities for
a great German drive on the West front:
1T will be our turn soon TO face new cud-
eel blows like that which we tasted at Yer
dun IN tho end Of February, 1916. Il would
be surprising, indeed, II the German Great
General Stat, with the offensive spirit which
II has been able 70 conserve, didn't earess
The dream OF piercing our front and recon-
Ineneing the attempts Of 1914 against Paris
and Calais.
Thanks 70 the ignoble treason Of the
MSximalistS here. we are. in the middle Of
the fourth year of the war, obliged 70 stiHen
ourselves In efforts similar 20 that we made
in August and September, 1914
Never shall we have more need in the rear
OF calm and sacred unity and the spirit Of
discipline than in the three coming months.
Never will our brothers and our sons IN the
trenches have greater need Of valor and the
spirit Of sacrifice
II is understood in France, Mr. Eyre's
account carries on the theme, that the
German pressure will necessitate bringing
into the line every available unit in the
French army. Incidentally, the French
think the impending onslaught can be sue
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