Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-24
WHOLE FRONT SOON MAY
BE BATHED IN FIRE
Conflict viii Be Give and Take Un-
til Great Decision Is Reached.
AMERICANS axe READY
Russian Situation Remains Chaotic.
Trotzky May Be Trying to Trick
q. S.-Allies Never to Tenn
porize With Foe.
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

o OSi many liidii' II dtS,
the kaiser, Won Hindenburg and
Won Ludendorff, the great Ger
man military juggernaut has
started on its way.
British and French armies in
France today are battling stout
'heartedly and effectively against
the terrible menace.
Conflict and death reign SUI
preme for the hour.
The worlds whole future hangs
on the outcome of the tremendous
struggle which is raging. Will
the wishes of civilized peoples be
permitted to prevail over the
barbaric influences and power of
a blood-lusty bombastic people?
The long-expected German Of
fensive, which the German peo-
Piles declare will bring peace, al
ready has gained some impetus.
The tides of battle ebb and
flow.
The French and British armies,
considering the tremendous inn
pact brought against them, are
holding well. considering all
things.
1t may be expected that during
the coming weeks of conflict the
struggle on the western front
will be give and take. The allies
naturally will fall back at some
points and, when they begin to
strike the enemy, advance in
Others Strategy and power will
be exercised to the utmost by
both groups OF belligerents. The
Germans may gain today, the al
lies tomorrow.
= ::
There must be no attempt to mini
naize the seriousness of the situation,
however. 1t is
Serious Situation critical for
Cannot Be Minimized. the world ma
tons arrayed against the Germans.
There must be weeks of terrible
slaughter and deprivation before the
Teutonic effort is frustrated. The pres
emit battles. serious as they are, are but
forerunners CT others. They are but the
spring efforts. Others must come dur
ing the remainder of the spring and
summer season There is every reason
to believe that the grea. issue-Shall
German military might be permitted
to preysi.?-may be definitely settled
one way or another during the course
of the present year.
The main German attacks have been
delivered against the French-British
positions to the northwest and the
south of Cambria, where the Germans
forced the British back onto their bat
tie positions at several points. On
Friday, late. the Germans again struck
farther to the south, TO the west OF
st. Quentin. where the British line pos
sibly is weaker than at any other
point, and broke through the British
positions The flames of battle evil
IDENTIFY have spread farther to the
south. the Germans announcing a
crossing of the River Disc below La
Fere which indicates that the French
armies have been drawn into the battle.
Just as the battle, starting in the
vicinity of Cambria, after terrible ar
tiilery actions. has spread, SO it may
be expected that it will soon involve
the Champagne. the Woevre. the Vosges
and the whole of the Alsace' and Lor-
raine line. There is no reason to be-
lieve that the British and Belgian po-
sitions in Flanders will not soon be
bathed in German fire and subjected
to terrible infantry attacks.
Both sides are prepared to wage the
most merciIess brand of warfare in
all history. Already the German cas-
ualties are appalling. The allies have
lost masses of men in the terrible hui
man maeIstrom. The casualties un-
doubtedly will stagger the Imagination
of man before a definite decision has
been reached.