Evening journal., 1918-06-01

Won Hinderburg has returned to ths
west front drive with all the delicate
cunning Of a maddened rhinoceros.
| Stopped in Picardy and Flanders, he
has exercised his elephantlne strategy
IN a wild break aside from the. course
The wished 10 pursue. His assault on
The front between Rheims and Scissors
has all the indications Of an attempt
ed surprise His animal intelligence,
knowing he was halted at one spot, ex-
ipected to take his enemies by surprise
IN another.
[ That the Allies were not so surprised
| as Won Hindenburg expected Is shown
by the fact that British and French
forces met his attack along the Chemin
| des Danes, in a district he had as
sumed to be denuded Of its defenders
since the Americans. there three weeks
ago, had been shifted north to meet
the graver thrust
| There is comfort for America In the
{ fact that Won Hindenburg deliberately
chose 10 make his third and probably
| nnal assault in spot where he knew
! there were no Americans.
The 25-mlle front between Vauxaillon
and Rheims has seen no ilghting since
last summer The FIRST German blow
gained lostensibly for the crown
| prince in less than a day the famous
Chemn des Danes. Road Of the
Ladies' for which thousands OF lives
were sacrificed In 1917.
The German stan apparently has de-
ciaed.f TO move the main battle front
from Flanders and plcsrdy to the
Champagne There are two reasons for
5perceiving this strategy.
1. The armies Of the Allies have
strengthened their front between Ypres
and Montdldler 10 such an extent that
It Is improbable the Germans could
again break through on that front.
2 The Champagne front was neces-
ssrily weakened to throw reinforce
ments northward into Picardy and
/ FLANDERS TO stem the great drive OF
March and April Thousands OF Amer
lean troops who had been stationed
along the Chemin des Danes were
among the reserves sent TO Picardy'
Therefore the Champagne front would
seem to be the best spot to select for
a victory Of the sort dear TO the
hearts Of the German people-one in |
which ground Is gained regardless OF
the cost In lives.
That the Champagne front was not
weakened enough TO place the Allied
line in any real danger IS indicated,
however, by the oflcial reports OF the
flrst days fighting showing that a
British army Is holding the line be-
tween Berry7Au-Bsc and Rheims. This
IL the FIRST Itlme the British have ex- ,
tended thef front so far to the east.
Here ag1in the Allies are given fresh
proof of|the far-sighted strategy OF
3eners, Foch, commander-in-chief Of q
he Allied armies.
The German strategy in attacking at !
new point is similar. 20 that employed !
q March when the drive began. The
french were given every reason TO be- {
.eve that the drive was 10 come along
he Chemln des DANES. Accordingly
he reserves were sent to this part OF
he line. and American troops took over
,srt OF the front near Chavlenon.
Instsad OF attacking there, however;
Re Germans struck In Picardy against :
he British. A gap was forced in the
Inc OF General Haig, and ii took sew :
raj days for sufficient reserves TO
ONE up 10 make any appreciable de- :
ense.
Hinderburg Is now reversing the or
er and forcing the Allies to draw
roops from the line In Plcardy to with :
tahd the assault In the Champagne :
AS for the German objective, II may :
e any one Of these four possibilities, :
which are set down here in the order E
4 their FEASIBILITY:
4. The purpose Of the attack IN 8
champagne may be to widen the front. :
/ began at the right end OF the ground :
a the advance Of March and April II 8
he battle goes as the Germans hope, &
i Will force the Allies TO strengthen :
the Champagne front without weaken
ing the Picardy-Flanders line This
VII force the employment Of the Al
lied reserves.
Q 1t may be aimed TO straighten out