New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-13
-Vitasse, south Of Arras, after a
heavy artillery preparation. Both
assaults were repulsed.
British Glue Ground Foot by Foot;
London Craze, but Confidence Holds

every point and can file in reinforce
ments wherever he desires.
Channel Ports Mean Most
mean more than the capture Of Paris
and Ludendorff is the master to-day
The situation must be regarded calmly
end confidently, but nevertheless the
gravity of the whole Allied position in
the West must not be mnlmiZed IN the
least.
The drive at Armcnticres is no enemy
diversion, but bold bid for a big
prize. The British army has suffered
two heavy reverses in the last three
weeks, it still is in critical position.
1t fought gallantly, oftentimcs brill
iantly, but the enemy has wrested the
initiative and apparently has unlimited
reserves of men. guns and shells.
False optimism will only do harm
now. When the Western campaign
ends-and it may continue for months
the armies will be exhausted, British
as we'll as German.
That will be the time when Americas
weight will tell, when new blood will
be worth infinitely more than it was
two years back. The thrush of Ameri-
can troops in constantly growing num-
bers serves as tonic which is needed
most to-day by both civilians and SOL
diers here and in France.
Black Days in London
These are anxious days, disilluson-
ing days, black days, but the British
are passing through the great test
with courage equalled only by the valor
of their troops.
Stripped of all camoufage, the sit
uation is something like this: Ger
many has sprung huge surprise.
She has overturned preconceived views,
she has won big successes. not by
peace propaganda as charged at the
some supernatural ability to forecast
the weather conditions, but only by
concentrating great forces at specified
points and launching terrific blows
and catching the Anglo French armies
off their equilibrium.
The German imperial staff has de-
cided to fight to a finish for the vindi-
cation of militarism, Kaiserism and
every other "ism" which we are united
to destroy. Germany is trying to crush
Great Britain. to smash her SO she can
no longer threaten the Central Powers,
to force a German peace on the world.
1t is gigantic undertaking. 1t is
no less of job to overturn the pro-
preme. They are not troubled by any
age limit debates. They are profess
SIGNALS fighting amateurs.
Must Prepare for Future
Had the British held, the Somme
situation would be profoundly differ
ent to-day. But the only thing that
counts now is to prepare for the inn
mediate future. If every one accepts
the situation as it exists and acts &C
cordingly the Allies can weather the
storm.
In short, this Allied victory has be-
come willo'the-wis 1t is on Elan
ders and France that America must
rivet her attention, for there her sons,
along with the British and French,
will wrestle with the greatest military
power the world has produced.
War aims mean nothing at this mo-
ment. The only aim that counts is to
"beat the enemy" or, as the President
says, "force to the utmost" Mistakes
of the past must be forgotten. National
unity and Allied coordination are alb
solutely essential, first to prevent de-
feat, then to win victory.