Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-05-10
The Nert German Offensive.

The Hohenzollern press in forecasting a re-
nexaI of Hindenburg's offensive in the West, along
with great onslaught against the Italians, de-
cIares that this time for certainty the oft pre-
dicted German victory will be won. There is no
doubt among the Allies that Hindenburg will re-
sumo his offensive. His pronounced quieseence 70.
the past week or ten days indicates how severe
were the losses and disorganization of his armies
in their futile attempts to cut through to the Chan
mel ports. 1t is conservatively reckoned that OF
a total of two hundred and six German divisions,
about two and half million men, more than one
hundred and forty have been employed in the re-
cent assaults in Flanders and the Somme. II
should be borne in mind however, as one OF The
Journals correspondents at the front points out
that these divisions have not been completely de-
stroyed Some have been badly cut up, but others
only slightly so that short rest and few re-
cruits will make the latter fit for new drive"
No matter how reluctant Hindenburg may be
to spend additional Iegions from his waning supply
of man-pover. he hardly escape the political,
if not indeed the military. necessity of making at
least one more desperate effort to break through;
for as the situation now stands, he has nothing
conclusive or very substantial show for the tens
of thousands of German lives he has sacrificed in
recent weeks to Hohenzollern ambition. 1t is to
be expected. therefore, that he soon will strike
again with ali the power he can concentrate. An
other period Of iron test and anxiety for the Allies
is at hand
But We have good reason to face this, we
did previous tests with stout and cheerful hearts
The Allied line, though it may bend even further
than heretofore, is no more likely to break; its
magnificent resistance the utmost the Huns could
do in the full freshness of their first onsets in
Picardy and Flanders is rich in reinsurance the
future. Moreover the Allied losses in this cam
paign have been small compared with the enemys,
and their strength is being augmented by the con-
slant arrival of American troops. The Allied posi-
TONS strategicaIIy considered. as good in the
main as before this offensive launched; the
ground they have yielded will count little way
or the other so long their line stands unbroken.
Especially assuring is the fact that they have main
tanned the line thus far without drawing to any
great extent upon their reserves. This, together
with the vaIor and granite strength of their en-
gagged troops whenever they chose to make final
stand makes their morale at this juncture particu-
larry high.
The Huns the other hand, find themselves
now as far from the objective as when they
launched their supreme effort seven weeks ago.
They have accomplished nothing at all decisive
against either the French the British. The posi-
tons they have taken and the shel-devastated ter
ritory they have occupied are for the most part
liabilities rather than assets because in making
and thereby increased their vulnersbility for the
defense to which eventually they will be reduced.
This situation, with the enormous wastage of man
power behind it, can hardly fail to shake German
morale as it never shaken before Assured
OF victory and peace, the German people find moth
ing settled and nothing substantial gained after
almost two months Of unexampIed sacrifice of their
msu.
II Is not to be wondered that the HohenzolIerns
are planning still another Iunge for decision
gardIess of the cost. They have the desperateness
of a gambler who would spend his last dollar on
the chance of winning back tremendous losses. it
may take many months more to break the Ger
man offensive power completely, and beyond that
point it certain take long months If not years
70 crush completely the German defense. But
crushed it must be. not halfway. but overwhelm-
ingIy if there is to be a Just and enduring peace
And crushed it will be certain as the stars in
their courses battle for the right.