The Washington herald., 1918-04-13
The Crisis at Hand? :?

Gen Maurice was quoted last night as saying
that "the crisis has arrived" and Sir Douglas
Haig has issued stirring appeal to his armies IN
which the gravity of the situation is painted IN
colors BY no means calculated to allow allied
thought to stabilize the idea that the German
has failed of his great objective
Hindenburg plans to finish off the British hrst
and then to attend to France. As stated yes
terday he aims at the destruction OF the British
forces in the field or, If that plan seems too
grandoise at least the capture OF the Channel ports
Ii is unthnkable that he will succeed in the latter
any more than in the former. The tall OF Dun
kirk, Calais and Boulogne would be disaster OF
the first magnitude. 1t is difficult TO see how
British military cooperation in the war could be
sustained without them. 1t is little wonder that
Haig has called upon his men not to allow Mes
sines Ridgc-which is the key Ito the British
position in Flanders-to fall into the Tcutonic
lap. Yet it is certain that any further penetration
OF the British lines the ArmcnScrcs-l pres
front will mean that Mcssincs will have to be
given up.
The second phase OF the British offensive has
opened. Before Aucns the German drive has
stopped; the fighting longer is in the open,
and Hindcnburg has lost entirely the impetus OF
his great initial success. Before La BaSscc and
NprCS the second chapter is Just starting The
meaning OF this strategy is clear. Hindcnburg
failed to rupture the connecting link between the
French and British armies between st. Quentin
Sand La Fyrc. Therefore he Is attempting i rupture
on d still greater scale by striking the British
a mighty blow now, he hopes to win success
which will enable him strike the French later
with the British rr>b'c throw >arr.ort a"d
aid to its ally. -\s Il dispatch 10 the New York
Times rvts it:
'As de offensive proceeds. the German OBJ
jcctivcs become csar,-. From t,1c enemy view
3
would be 4 mcuacc to Calais that would absorb
British attention simultaneously with Il drive to-
ward Paris That would similarly alarm the French
and divert them iTcm their common objects. The
forces which ucr,. torard such ends both
powerful and subtle. SO potent they that
only after the retreat OF the British Fifth Army
it possible to bring the French and British
together under single leadership.
Perhaps in the future the glory which at
tends Gen. Carcys mproviscd army, which saved
the day after the collapse OF the Filth Army, will
be divided by the heroic defenders Givcnchy. by
the brave Portuguese in the heart OF the British
line in the sector north OF Arras. If Givcncfy
had not held. tine entire positions ON the heights
OF Nimy and OF Notrc Dame dc I.orcttc might
have been jcopardized. For ten days and
the Germans have been pounding away at Nrras
and its correlated positions, but the line has been
adamant. Had Hndcnburg been able push this
section of the British front back he has further
to the southland lie is desperately at
tempting to do in Fandcrs-thcrc Is no telling
what disaster might be stern reality
facing the Western nations.
But grave and frank is the warning OF Field
Marshal Haig, do read any prcmonition
OF reverscs into it. Rather is it A call upon
his armies TO remember that the necessity is at
hand for a supreme display OF the British fighting
spirit, which has failed yet in history, and
is not going to ia now.