New-York tribune., 1918-03-28
Confident Now That Enemy
Will Not Pierce the
Allied Line
Profound Change
In Country's Spirit
Strikes, Complaints Van
ish; All Britain Rallies
Behind the Army
By Arthur S. Draper
Tribune Cnh,o S,orvice1

LONDON, March 27.-With fresh.
strong reserves rushed into the breach.
the Allies have begun to check the
German flood which threatened to en-
gulf Amlens, sever the Anglo French
forces, and carry the Kaiser to vic
tory. At the end Of seven days Of un-
precedented fighting, the Allies can
breathe more freely, although the mill
tary situation in France must still be
regarded with much anxiety.
Hang sends the cheering news that
his troops are no longer fighting
rearguard actions, but are holding even
and launching counter attacks at the
enemy, who is working desperately to
reap the full advantage of his earlv
successes, but who finds the odds in
creasingly great.
Amiens is still safe. The English,
French and American troops continue
to preserve their alignment. The
German spearhead, aimed at the juno
tlon of the British and French armies,
has lost some of it's power and the
Allied reserves are coming into action
Both French and British have been
forced to give more ground, the
enemy fattening the Albert Bray
Mcrcourt salient, but the change of
positions overnight has been COM
raratively small.
German Finding Difficulties
The French have withdrawn to the
old 1916 line running through Echelle,
Beauvraignes and Lassigny, which is
only slight retirement since Tuesday.
The Germans are finding the greatest
difficulty in transporting supplies CT
munitions and food from their bases
at Cambria and St. Quentin across the
devastated area.
When it is realized that hundred
lorries are required to transport the
food for two divisions. some apprecia
tacking army can be gained. Transport
ing shells by lorries is tremendous un-
dertaking alone. not to mention the
task of carrying the soldiers to the
battle front and removing the
wounded
The lack of railway facilities is a
handicap which the enemy will not
overcome quickly. On the other hand
the British and French have fallen back
On their bases and retain all their rail
way lines. Their reserves can move
quickly and their forces are more
mobile.
Though it is we'll to guard against
overconfidence, there is plenty of justi-
fication in regarding the situation to-
day as greatly improved. General Won
Ludendortf, the master strategist and
organizer Of the enemy army, un-
doubtcdly still has several cards to
play, but it is equally certain that the
high stakes for which he is playing are
Far from won.
Fresh attacks south of the Somme
were being prepared this afternoon, but
the British and French reserves were
reported to be awaiting them calmly
and confidently.
Allies in Strong Position
1t is beginning to look as if this war
manmuvre were to be short lived. The
reserves will settle this in the next
couple Of days. The present Allied line
is much the strongest position which
they have taken since the retirement
began, and though it may bend in some
places there is confidence here that the
enemy will not pierce it with his pres
ent forces.
The bombing of railways, billets and
ammunition dumps by both sides has
been taking place on an unprecedented
scale. A. change in the weather is eX-
pected.
The country is anxious to forget all
political questions and concentrate
wholly on the decisive battle that is
being fought in France. 1t will give
anything that is asked, make any sacr-
flee demanded, submit to any hard
ship required.
Newspapers of all shades of opinion
are insistert that the age limit must be
raised, possibly to ffty-tive, and nearly
all are agreed that the time has come
to introduce conscription in Ireland.
There is profound change in the
spirit of the country. All personal
gravity of the national situation.
Even after four years Of war there
nre many who have realized only i'm
perfectly the seriousness of the worlds
struggle, but the events of last week
have changed all this. If the army
could know how great is the admira-
ton and determination and confidence
of the people at home they would be
greatly heartencd. Strikes, food COM
plants and industrial unrest have van
ished overnight, and all Britain is rail-
lying behind it's gallant army.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. w. VA.
The Grccnbrier. European plan. Wonderful
NJ ~