New-York tribune., 1918-03-25
Break at St. Quentin Is
Serious, Says ''Daily
Mail"
Chauny Gain May
Force French Back
Crowds, Depressed, Anx-
iously Scan Newspapers
and Bulletins

LONDON, March 25--The official re-
ports OF last night represent the battle
position in France as undoubtedly
grave. The newspapers recognize this.
but do not attempt to appraise the stu
alton or prophesy the course of events
They consider this the critical hour of
the war.
The German seizure of Chauny may
compel the withdrawal Of the French
lines in order to preserve contact and
alignment with the British Much rests
On the use Of the Allied ."army of ma
n@uvre,' organized by the Versailles
conference, which may prove the de-
cisivc force of the battle.
"'rhe Daily Mail" says that if Field
Marshal Haig's report that the Ger
mans broke through west of St. Quen-
tin uses the term "broke through" in
the general yaccepted military sense
it is serious but that time alone can
show the correct Interpretation.
The British people have experienced
with this weekend since the days Of
the retreat from Mons, in August, 1914.
when the fate of the small British
army was undecided.
There was perfect spring weather to-
day. and all the streets and parks were
crowded, but solemnity and gravity
prevailed everywhere, which even a
stranger must have noticed. Men and
women and even children were reading
the newspapers, ana special editions
which printed the Afternoon official re-
ports We're bought as fast as the news
papers could supply them. The
churches were filled, and the day was
one of anxious waiting.
The British people had not expected
any marked retirement by the British
army, although they had been warned
ment of a great battle; hence the bull
letins caused general depression. Tow
ard night it became known that 'the
official view Of the situation did not
warrant such despondency.
The loss of guns was regarded as in
evitable, but the British casualties are
understood to be relatively small con-
sidering the magnitude of the opera
tons, so far as the reports give them.
The Bishop of London. the Right
Rev. Arthur +. ". Ingram, has issued a
message to the people of London, say
ing:
"The great struggle for the freedom
Of the world has now clearly reached
its crisis. DO let US who are at home
pray as we never prayed before for the
gallant men and their leaders. upon
whom and God the issue depends.
"BcSlQeS our OrlVatp DrlVerS and
prayers in churches, at the hour of
noon each day let US hush ourselves
wherever we are at work, in office, in
bank, in munition factory, and invoke
divine strength and wisdom to come
to their aid Then. indeed, will this be
Holy Week in special sense. and it
will lead on, if it please COD, to an
Easter victory.'
Commenting on the great battle in
France, "The Daily Graphic" says:
'ln the main the enemy is held.
Nevertheless we are bound to recognize
that the situation, viewed as whole, is
critical"
Pointing out that the Germans have
been able to bring TO bear at certain
points of the line an attacking force
which vastly outnumbers the defend
ers, "The Graphic" concludes:
"But, providing the breaking of the
line involves no panic, but only re-
tirement to previously prepared posi-
tlons, the loss is reparable.'