New-York tribune., 1918-07-24
German Press Lays
Defeat to
Traitors in Army
Deserters Betrayed Luden-
dorf Plan of Battle, Says
"Kolnische Volkszeitung"
Especial Dispatch to The Tribune


WASHINGTON, July 23.-Germany
has not only been greatly depressed by
the failure of the Hindenburg strategy,
involving the repulse of Ludendorffs 9
offensive, but is disturbed seriously
over the loss IF the initiative, fearing
1t may require weeks 20 wrest it again
from General Foch An official report
from Basle to-day says:
"While confessing now that the stu
alton has changed, the German press
is attempting to envelop this confes-
sion in many kind, of explanations, em-
ployed with a view to making it more
acceptable to the German public. The
Berlin correspondent Of the 'Strass-
burger Post writes:
1.-The public had in general attached
too great hopes to the German offensive
which was launched on both sides of
Rheims. AS we can see in reading the
communications of the last few days,
these hopes have not been realized. The
enemy was informed of our plans and
"'Now the French and the Ameri-
cans have begun the counter offensive.
The situation is thus modified and the
German headquarters staff will have
to make fresh plans. The public Will
do we'll to practise patience with regard
to future developments of operations
in the West
Treason Cry Raised
"The 'K0lnische volkszeitung' cries:
'Treasonn The fact it says, must no
longer be hidden ti-at German deserters
have made use of their knowledge of
the plan of operations to betray thcir
country. 1t is impossible to deny that
the Germ IN offensive i.as failed
The 'Frankfurter Zeitung' writes
that the entire Hindenburg strategicai
plan is compromised. Something new
appears in the strategic situation.' it
declares. General Foch has been able
to form an important army of reserves.
He is trying now by powerful coun-
ter offensive to wrest the initiative
from Hindenburg. The German ad-
vance on both sides of Rheims has
been stopped. Foch's attack does not
merely aim at attracting the attention
of the German reserves and keeping
them Employed; it aims to deal blow
IN the back of Boehm's army that is
marching eastward. and should it be
successful it might compel this army
to retreat under most unfavorable con-
ditions. Foch's attack is not only an
answer to the German attack on both
sides of Rheims, but it threatens the
whole of Hindenburg's plans
" The same paper, attempting to ex-
plain the failure of the German plans
by recalling that the previous Ger
man official communications declared
it could henceforth be considered that
Foch's army of man9uvre was used up.
asks where these troops come from, as
suming that the American transports
have really come more quickly than
they were expected.
Comedies American Strength
"The 'Muenchener Neueste Mach.
richtcn' says the German General
Headquarters Staff has come in con-
tact with special difficulties brought
about by the indiscretions of soldiers.
1t considers that France is still very
strong and that America has more than
100000 soldiers in France.
"The submarine warfare alone. it be-
lieves, cannot prevent the continual
transportation of troops and war ma
terial to the Western front The Eng
llsh army it continues, has been re-
constructed and put into a perfect state.
The public, which is aware of the
enormous difficulties against which our