New-York tribune., 1918-08-27

praise it or to meet It,
The German offensive of 1918
vas characterized by long pauses
between the main operations. Lu
dendorf's s most powerful stroke was
delivered on March q. from the
line west OF st. Quentin The Ger
man advance was stopped, nine
days later, to The west Of Mont
didier A second and minor blow
was struck in tbs Lys alley on
April O. The situation was stabilized
there about April 10. But no other
major operation was undertaken
until May 27-an interval Of six
weeks. The fourth otfensive-fronl
i4assigny talso minor one}-be-
pan on June and ended on June
Is. Then there was another pause,
of a month, until July Is.
When, on July rs, Foch snatched
the initiative out Of Ludendorff' S
hands, the latter undoubtedly be
lieved that the Allied offensive
would be similarly broken and spas
modic IL counted on being able
to get back easily to fairly good
defensive line and on being allowed
to remain there in comparative tran
Quillty until he could adjust HIM
self to the changed military situa-
ton. Hence, perhaps, his unreadi-
ness to make a quick and economical
retirement. He clung obstinateiy
to the illusion that he could prob
ably soon recover the offensive; and
as q result he submitted to excessive
losses in men and material, trying
to hold positions valuable for future
offensive PROF but worthless
and perilous to armies compelled to
defend themselves.
Foch's aggressive strategy has
rot initiated LudenGorff's S. 1t is not
spasmodic, but smoothly continuous.
It consists in exerting pressure
along a very broad front and strik-
ing successive]y and rapidly at
points where The defence seems to
be habbiest Ludendorf' ignored his
opportunity TO retire cheaplv and in
more Or less ieisurely manner
Now Fochs strategy keeps him from
retiring at ali, except under con
ditions which involve great risk and
heavy penalties lie is closely besot
on the entire front from Arras to
Rheims. II he yields too much at
any point his whole line is jeopar-
dized.
The Germans are paying again
and again the penalty Of having
grossly underestinnated Foch's gen
eralship and the fighting strength Of
the Allies. Ludendortf S whole
Western campaign went to wrecl:
when he assumed that he could
break the fighting spirit of the en-
envy before September. Now the
fighting spirit OF his own troops is
failing and he IS casting about anx-
lously for defensive position on
which he can hold the Allied armies
until the winter season sets in.
VIII that position be the famous
Hindenburg line? It may not be.
And for this reason. With the sys-
tenn Of non-rigid defence which is
now followed, a line is only line,
whatever imposing name you may
give it. The Hindenburg line is
merely belt or q zone-not stiff.
impregnable barrier. No line can
be held now except by troops which
have the stamina, resolution and
numbers to mend it by counter at
tacks when it is broken. It is a uues-
ton not Of trenches or natural OBJ
structions, but Of infantry of suf-
flcient strength and quality.
Field Marshal Haig is already up
to the Hindenbure line opposite Ar
ras. His troops attacked yesterday
On front Of -FOUR miles from Fam
pouX, on the Scarpe River, south
west to the heights of Neuville Vi
tasse. They advanced two miles.
taking Monchy-le- -Preux, Guemappe
and Wancourt. They are therefore
abreast Of the German line of March
p, 1916. What is there to hinder
them from crossing this legendary
barrier, if they really want to?
In the neighborhood of Coucy-le-
Chateau General Mangin's army is
also close to the Hindenburg line, as
1t sweeps down west of La Fere and
circles the Forest Of St Gobain. Ac-
cording to unofficial reports, the
French have crossed the Ailette
River IN force and have entered the
lower Forest Of Coucy, north of that
city. They have also crossed the
railroad running up from scissors
past Coucy- le Chaveau, at a point
east of Bagneux. An advance in this
direction would threaten Coucv from
the south. 1t would also threaten
+, to,,,