Arizona republican., 1918-03-22
AMERICAN EXPERTS .NOT CONVINCED II
 |S GRAND OFFENSIVE
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, March 21.-Even word from London that the drive launched today by the Germans on the west front is on a larger scale than any undertaken there since the war began, has failed to convince American mili- tary observes that the long heralded German offensive is at hand. They are awaiting for the full scope of the en- emy action against both British and French fronts to be made clear, and still believe that the logic of the situa- tion points away from a German of- fensive in the west at this time. There was a distinct feeling tonight that the. tumult of the German guns might cloak some other purpose than to com init the issue of the war to desperate anslaughts against the all but inn pregnable allied lines in the west. Su- preme confidence in the power of those lines to resist the shock characterized the expressions of all officials.
 View With Eagerness
 Some high army officers, heretofore confident that the German position on all fronts made a defensive attitude in the west almost mandatory, viewed with eagerness the possibility that a great thrust at Paris or the channel
 
 They believed only some internal pressure that would not brook wise counsel could force the general staff to risk such a venture. They believed, too, that German assault in the west now would bring the ultimate triumph of the allied cause close, because the resisting power of the allied armies is unshakable.
 If this is in fact German drive said one general officer, T will look upon it as the most hopeful sign in the war thus far. Defeat of the moyemen. is certain.
 "Not Real Drive"
 But I cannot believe that it is a real drive. Every requirement of req son would direct the Germans to press their exploitation of Russia's resources and Russia's man power to the limit while they held the west front locked against our efforts"
 Reports from Holland that a peace offer had been made semi officially to the entente by Germany caught imme diate attention. There was nothing at the state department to confirm this report but some observers saw the pos sibility that the menace of the German guns had been turned loose to play a llIluHueIlHS pTeluue io SuCH dl OllcT lor the effect upon the French and British people.
 Others saw possible significance in the fact that the German. onslaught comes quickly on the heels of the ac- quisition of Dutch shipping by the United States and the allies.
 May Be German Motive
 There was speculation as to whether - motive for the drive, in view of the strategic situation.
 The purpose might be, it was said to over:awe European neutrals, or it might be that realization that the sub marine campaign has failed to block the movement of American troops to France led to resort to a desparate eff fort to reach the channel ports.
 From a purely military standpoint the launching of an offensive this early in the year is an innovation. Ex- perience would indicate that the ground is as yet too soft with the winter rains for extensive troop and transport movements necessitated 1T pressing home a great thrust.
 Spring is Early
 The spring appears to be early ir Europe, however, and the German eX- perts have certainly gauged every IactOr before undertaking extensive operations. It may well be that pro- longed bombardment. covering many days of constant gunfire will follow thu initial rush in the .Cambrai sector. paw ing the way for greater efforts by thu infantry later
 The situation at Cambrai has men. laced thes&ecurity of the German line. lever since the surprise assault by thu allies last year gave them certain strategic advantages. It was though here early today that the Germans were seeking to restore their old line in preparation for possible more ex tensive operations later. As report indicated a movement of wide scop today, however, this view was aban doned
 Ready to Meet It
 One thought occurred to all officer here. If this is indeed the great Ger man offensive, the supreme militar, ; council at Versailles has had ampl time and notice to perfect plans t meet it. It has been officially indi cated already that the general reserve composed of surplus troops of all tn allied armies, and probably including a very heavy proportion of big guns has been placed under the authority o , the Versailles council.
 The plans of that body have contem plated an assault on any part of tn l line in France and a coordinate scheme for massing men and guns a any certain point is believed to hay : been worked out. This means tha l even were the standard three line de : fense on the British front forced bac : by the Germans. additional armie would be available immediately block their further progress.