Evening star., 1918-04-11
BY FRANK ii. SIdONDS.
Copyright, 1e1kl

= Sr.-'E 81 : .
Copyright. 1s1kl 49, Nd. g..
From the very beginning At the Ger
man offensive three weeks ago thres
great questions have been in every
mind. -, 49,
First-can the Germans win the wa,
by this offensive7
second-what has happened to the
allies?
Third-Have Te returned to = war OF
movement? Is tho familiar war of posi-
tions at an end and the Napoleonie
method here again?
The views Of American writer's on
these subjects have been sat forth al
great lengths in recent days, but
count myself fortunate to be able Al
this time to present tho view OF q
French stan onicer. Lieut.. Col Paul
Of the training camps in the middle and
eastern states, a military historian be-
fore the war and a brilliant officer both
In the field and subsequently on the
staff in the present war. Col. Azan
has written me a letter setting forth
his views Of the great German offensive
with particular reference to the lessons
which 1t has for the American Army
He believes that the larger German
purpose has been defeated and he II
convinced that we have already re-
turned to q war of positions and that
length of time In the present conflict
War Of Positions.
technical side Col. Azan's view seem,
read since the German offensive began
and present his analysis without
further comment. Writing on April
Col. Azan says:
seeking today some phrase by which te
define tho strategy OF the Germans II
the present drive; they are trying te
deduce from the events of each sue.
warfare. But the principles of strategy
ard the laws which have governed the
art of war since November, 1914. have
never changed: they are simply those
of the war OF positions.
THE Germans are carrying out all the
principles of the war of positions. as
have defined them. They have attacked
moreover, as was to be expected, a.
British forces: they knew that the al:
they counted on lack Of coordination
| and Of liaison to help them WIN theil
game. After having tried. as all tht
world knows, to separate the Englisf
and French armies. they are now trying
| to widen the zone which they have con
quered. SO as to cause the rest OF the al
| lied front to give way.
nut their 3res situation Is py
| themselves. In the first place. they
| have. at least up to tho present. but
| single zone Of attack. They sacrifice
| thousands Of lives there every day
Are they going to have troops enough
to attack elsewhere, If such be their IN
tention?
The Germans Danger.
| Secondly, attracted by the bait o.
Amiens and of the railway thence tt
Paris. they are thrusting forward to-
ward this objective, and have thus
created q salient dangerous to them.
selves. The conquest of zone OF land
however largo 1t be, is Of no advantagt
II Its acquisition Is too costly or II y
unfavorable place. Both these condi'
tions apply to the situation OF the Ger
mans today. Not only have ehey los
very heavily, but they run the risk o.
being exposed to crossfire. ana II
counter offensive is launched at th'
base of their salient they are IN danger
of having their first line troops takei
from behind and cut to pieces. Thetl
troops are obliged to concentrate IN tn
| salient II they intend to enlarge it; q
| that their efforts to Increase their sue
cess will expose them to the graves
disasters. -
When, such n salient ra1pos Rsg ss1
larged It fs best 70 ~evacuafe 'at; sout
continuation Of the attack. IS thu
IAnglo-Trench army watches it, chanct