The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-04-04
THE WILL TO CRUSH


Il must be apparent on the very things that the secret
Of the present German drive against the British and French lines
concerted and determined effort crush the opposing armies Sp
uato rife in the beginning gradually giving way to certainty
This we are forced to believe is apparently the only
rational conclusion be drawn from maze OF conctng ana
satisfactory claims and deducations.
Unfortunately days like these cannot Immediately
things as they ndenburg from the German side Hag
from the British sees The cards not the table face
but carefully stacked in the deck.
We must make up what the stakes and for
all the argument one way or other all the for
possible that lies between the aim OF mere ground
gaining slaughter and the aim of bringing the to an end with
quick smashing victory defeat.
On this side accept the latter as Won Hndenburg purpose
1t therefore greatly interesting to find unofficial opinion on the
other preaching exactly the philosophy OF strategy that
here claim the permanent feature OF the Allies plans that
Germany option but defeat by forcing the issue at
vosssch Zetug for instance has this of the present
struggle and its Developments
Our object not win ground but the destruction OF
the enemy forces for the continuation of the
From point of view General Fohs army will form
final battle aim.
This is remarkable of the theories universally held
Allied quarters 1t counter to the policy of nbbng
which was attributed p and the expressions which
from military experts regarding the immediate struggle
The Ally idea has always been that Germany would certainly lose
the war; because owing her great formation attack her
losses always vastly greater than her opponents
any danger of such thing happening not for
to be believed Ii Won Hndenbug and the Kaiser hope to
win by attrtion they the victims of wild dream
the French and English army must be destroyed Ger
many gain victory of arms but the destruction must be ef
eced by strategy victory by the tactics of Grants Wilderness
campaign which he despite his superiority Of
deadly his side to be pushed conclusion We
do not really believe the Germans will attempe such frantic
policy.
But if the victory is to be by strategy the plan of casual
onslaughs and there upon the western battle line is futile
doomed failure The possible road to strategic
for either side lies straight through the enemy line If
the Germans drive the English into the open the hope of
smashing their Thereon the French eherhey must break
the line and flank which they and assault
compelling battle in which isntegaton be effected such
Washington and Butcher imposed Napoeon forces at Water
loo This the only and it only be realized by attach
up point the line pushed finish 1t be promoted
by incomplete drives here there however,
cessu these may be in the limited local in the capture
booty
We only hope the plan suggested by the German newspaper crit
ic the actual of Won Hndenburg and his Kaiser 1t
the speedy crppng of their armies AS to their power really
break through have fears They shall pass said tn
French Ver and they made good the promise Haig and hi
of feebr temper They shall pass this me ethe
The struggle has only Huntington-Her Dispatch