The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-24
GERMANS AIM TO
FORCE BRITISH
INTO OPEN FIGHT
ny J. W. T. MASON.

NE" 1Ofhr March -4.-AIter
forty-eight hours OF simultaneous at
tacks against fifty miles of British
positions, the Germans have moved
back the British front at various
points from one to FIVE miles.
, Won Hindenburg's new push has
longer continuous front than any
previous attack in the west since the
battle OF the Marine. The whole area,
however, for a considerable distance
west Of all the present battle positions
was voluntarily abandoned by the
Germans last March when they re-
treated to the Hindenburg line. To
attempt TO win back this territory
now at q terrible price in casualties
supplies no reason in itself for the
present operations. The Germans
must have some, other purpose in
view.
Most Probable Objectives.
The most probable detectives are:
First, TO compel a retirement OF
the British line at points where it
threatens most seriously the main
German defensive positions.
Second, to disarrange the British
plans for a major offensive this sum-
mer.
Third. to attempt to demolish the
British trenches so largely as to
force q series of Napoleonic maneu-
yer battles in the open. at which the
Germans believe they excel
The last Of these three would pro-
vide the Germans with a true offen-
sive purpose. The others must be
classed as defensive measures. The
ferocity Of the German assaults has
not been equE led since the early bat
ties of the war. The massed attacks,
formerly abandoned as too costly in
casualties, have now been revived.
Even the offensive two years ago
was not so ruthlessly directed as
the present movement. These facts
indicate that Won Hindenburg has
q plan OF major Importance TO &C
complish.
Reports from Berlin suggest the
German people believe the stipend
Gus sacrifices now being sxacted are
for the purpose OF ending the war.
1t is impossible to see how Won Hin
dsnburg can have any such conclu-
sion in mind, unless Germany's in
tsrnAl conditions are much more des-
perate tina is publicly known. If
such is the case, then the Kaiser's
militarists may have resolved to put
everything to the test and to take
the consequences OF failure. Under
any circumstances. the battle has
now gone too far for Won linden
burg to be able to end II at the pres
emit Juncture without eventual de-
struction OF his prestige.
Predecessor Defeated.
. Won Hindenburg's two predecessors
as chief OF staff in the present war
lost their regulations through fail
ures of undertakings on scales COM
parable to the present. Won Moltke
was defeated before Paris and Won
1Nalkenhayn before Verdun. Won Hin
denburg cannot afford to have the out
come of the present operation likened
10 these, IL he is to retain his prestige
among the Germans.
The west front has been the grave
Of German military regulations.
Steadfastness by the British at this
1uncture may well cause Won Hin
dsnburg's fall A small recovery of
territory freely abandoned a year ago
will never satisfy the German people
for the present casualties. Certainly
the allies now have IL in their power
TO set the Hindenburg idol tottering.
Judging from latest accounts, the
Germans have sacrificed $4,000 men,
or three army corps, in their drive
already.