The Washington herald., 1918-04-22
After the Offensive, What?

One theory OF the present offensive is that it
has been forced upon Germany by the strain and
pressure of her economic isolation and that its
failure will force Berlin to sue for peace without
delay
Another theory is that it is merely Germany's
great effort to end the while golden strategic
opportunity is before her; that its failure will not
presage her downfall or force her to make peace
that Germany will then be content to fight de-
fensive war in the West knowing that it will take
years for the allies to force large enough
to crush her.
There is a great deal of expert opinion backing
both theories. There is constant echo of opinion
in Paris. London and Washington that this drive
is desperate but necessary gamble on Germany's
part. 1t vcers to the postulate that the imperial
German staff would never have undertaken such
colossal risk if internal conditions had not
reached point where it was make or break"
for the 1t holds that the very intensity and
magnitude of the effort that Germany is making
is the best possible proof OF the desperate straits in
which she finds herself And in all truth this is
most plausible logic.
1t must be remembered that more than year
ago the German government found it necessary
to embark ruthless submarine warfare, step
which it fully appreciated would bring the United
States into the scales against her. So impudcnt
and desperate a would never have been
considered had not Germany foreseen a time when
her power would be unable to meet the
demands being made upon it. Her leaders per-
suaded themselves that the U-boat would win the
before the United States could bring TO bear
any effective force in it.
Now, after than fourteen months, the
submarine campaign has failed; Germany
recognizes that it cannot win the war for her, and
that it a gigantic bunder She is fourteen
months closer the point where the superior
force OF her enemies will be the dctermn-
go Tor OF tie war. Every month brings nearer
the time when America is to throw foroc OF
mighty proportions the aid OF her enemies.
The present offensive, clearly. is based on the
logic the ruthless submarine campaign
that it, per Sc, will win the war Ii it fails as it
seems certain fall what then, Germany will
be in a position OF athlete who has striven
desperately throw off rival in the middle
OF race, knowing that the rival has superior
staying and sprin;ng powers for the finish Failing
do so. he begins to be cnmeshed in the psy
cholosy OF defeat. conscious that only accident
or a miracle will save him from it.
Will Germany fight ON and on in the hope OF
rescue through that accident and that miracle? No
ono prcsumcs to believe that she will be forced
to make peace this year, regardless OF the des-
tincs of the offcnsivc-not unless there is abso
Lutte breakdown OF civilian morale in the nation
But can her docie people be brought TO the point
OF enduring years OF merely for the
sake OF waiting for accident miracle to save
the Prusan autocracy from the fate that awaits it
We doubt it very much. The German and Aus
trian peoples not altogether fools. The Prince
Lichnowsky memorandum is only one OF many
things to show them that mendacious policy OF
deception and exploitation has been pursued by
their diplomatiSts and militarists towards them
There is not much "strafing" in Germany today
at least, not as much there two years ago.
And when the hope and promise and prospect OF
victory and conquest fades from the Teutonic heart
as it will if Hindenburg and Ludendorf fail in
their present titanic onslaught-a huge stride will
have been taken towards the peace OF the world
which, we hope, will be so constructed as to last
for generations and centuries to come.