Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-03-23
EVENTS OF A WEEK

f.. EVENTS OF A WEEK
In the interest with which the subject has been fol-
lowed the blow struck by the Germans on the British
section of the west front overshadows everything else
that has occurred in connection with the war during the
week. The German war Office reports the CAPTURE of 1s
900 prisoners and something more than 200 guns as a
result of the violent attack on Thursday, and the occu-
patton OF a few points on the British line is also reported.
This, according to the information available at this time,
- the net result of what is described as the greatest
sbombardment that has yet been undertaken. in. the war,
followed by the usual infantry rushes. The front COW
cred by the action is about SO miles long, and includes
the section along the Somme and that in front of Cam
brai which have already become famous in the annals
Of the war.
Contrary to most other great enterprises in this war
this attack was shrouded by nothing in the nature Of
secrecy. That there would be a spring offensive was in
eVitabie. 1t was for that purpose that the armies of both
groups of combatants were massed along the west line
all winter; and the prevalent opinion has been that the
first blow would be struck by the Germans. All the
troops that could be spared from the Russian front have
been moved to France and Belgium. All the guns and
other war material that were not needed elsewhere were
transported to the west front Allied 'air men have OBJ
served day by day the movement of trains loaded with
troops and supplies, and from documents and verbal
information obtained from prisoners the allies have
known not only the approximate strength but the unit
numbers OF very many of the forces opposed to them.
@
Under these circumstances the attack made con-
s1ained none of the element Of surprise. It was expected,
Ind preparations had been made for it. In answer to
fhe inquiry which is sometimes made as to why the allies
did not themselves take the initiative and strike the first
blow in the great spring drive it may be said that they
slpreferred that the blow should come from tho other
side. Without question the allies could have launched
II great offensive Of their own had they believed it to be
20 their advantage to- do so at this time. The fact that
;ifney did not do SO is of itself evidence that they pre-
slerreo 10 go on with the augmentation Of their forces
and the piling up Of munitions, and to permit the enenv
20 wear himself out in assaults against a line which IL IL
confidently believed that he cannot break.
It is too early yet to know whether the enrap.m.nt
4d Thursday was intended to be the beginning Of the real
.A5erman offensive or not. It may have been intended
ns preliminary to a still greater effort which is to he
ssnndertaken Immediately. It may have been intended
mercy as an experiment on a large scale, from the re-
aus o. winch future action will be determined. Or 1t
may 0 . intended to distract attention from some other
point on the long line against which the major attack
e to be launched. Which Of these explanations is the
correct one is one of the secrets Of the German military
command, and the rest OF US must be content to xuess,
fnd to observe as We 80 along. Tho capture of certain
* INK "Ss"AA9s HOWo DOSltlCnb
were abandoned voluntarily because It was recosntsed
That they would be untenable in tho case OF a newerfui
Gttack Other positions momentariIyf captured, were re-
gained. Tho rest are held for tho time being, but the
result tamounts to no more than has attended tho trench
fsids which have been going on ali winter.
s@
ssg@ In the earlier part Of the week there was consider
hble activity along the southern part of the line an the
tectors held by the French and the Americans! In q
Plumber Of minor engagements both OF these ferees were
tuccessful IN gaining bits Of trench. On the day Of the
Sa3geg blow the Germans devoted some attention to this
eart Of the line, doubtless with the intent to nravent the
t67eesnaser of1troops e the point where tho aotion was heav-
tlsseesg but TIE results attained have no Significance.
8E9S There has been no important Development In nus
n d save the working out OF the forces which had already
zen at work The evacuation Of Pstrograd by the Boil
o9essdk soyernnnent 4 complets. ana Moscow has again
esconns the capital ok. the country.sif q country without
1St1 soyernnent orSreal ~natonar ssntinent can s. said
y ksthays 4 capitaL a lone tins Gsrrnan forcss wsre re-
tod 70 ~ within u few hours march Of Pstrogfad,
other German troops we're nd ito y headed for
8 A4ssesw. We havs 81 Russia Til. curious spectacle, Of
MSkaa4tsnins ofs compact of peace and frisndshipr.s sns
Hd1esseN M1fttsss to wi6teh eon.t mic 4 snvasisasof