Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-08
HA|G PLANS NEW
STRIKE AT GERMA Ms
His Army Strong and Fit and
Fresh; Blow on Flanders
Front Likely.

Warrington, Aug. "a review Of The
war situation as written by noted expert
follows:
In Yesterdays review one possible
fefasoh Tor the German retirenents was
discussed This was the stiffening Of
| the defensive positions in view of n
possible German offensive later Tins
wne not advanced ms the real reason
Tor these retrogrnde movements. As a
matter OF fact, we are not in a position
| u interpret such n move with finalilv
/ All that we Cau do until tho sifuaflou
/ develops ~ To see what the probabilities
are and 10 prcpare for as many of them
rs arc possible II may prove to be the
ca9e that because Of the drIbbng the
Germans have received they will not dare
launch another offensive.
HAfd's DEFEAT or HuNs DIaARrRous.
This may apply particularly to tho
Flanders section, where IT was suggested
that the next German blow might fall
he lighting IN the Hazebrouck salient
was ms bitter as any the western front
has yet seen. and II was disastrous to
the Germans almost from the beginning
Their l08ses were probably hcayior in
proportion to the number Of men en-
Raged than IN other offensives. Moro
over, the terrain gives them no adva ntage,
no cOnCealnent
1T IL Impossible 10 concentrate groat
numbers OF men and guns for an attack
without tins becoming known 10 the
British and French since from the latter's
positions at SchorpenberH the entirc Ger
man position II plalnlv visible At the
same time IL Is obvious that tho attack
will not como IN the south. whore the Ger
mans have fallen behind the rivers and
ppffiH have Tn, frtrro
vance
Therefore, IN spite of the difficulties,
II Germany attacks at all IN her efforts
to end the war II must be m the Flanders
salient, ~ spite IF the Disadvantages
under which she labors.
BocHE FEAR BRITISH OFFENSIVE.
"As another object for these retire
mcnts closely akin to that which has
already been discussed. we might regard
fear OF n British offensive. This would
seem to have more reason than defense
for their own defensive If the British
were TO start an offensive it would natur-
ally come whore n relatively small gain
would have n maximum effect
This, ot course. would be where there
were sharp salient The two salcnts
which were discussed yesterday as exist
ing about Montdldier come under tins
category The Albert front along the |
Ancre also bears a similar relation to the |
front between the Sornme aud the AWE. /
II this front could be broken for but a
short distance the front about Villers-
BretOnneux would be seriously involved
by her move to the rear Germany has
strengthened her positions
and would be better able tn withstand the
shock Of another Allied blow such ~ fell
On the Soissons flank
FocH's BLOW AsT0v1sHED ror.
"An allied offensive Is something which
Inc Germans have very good reason TO
ear They had not calculated upon the |
act that FOch might have sufficient
-cserve strength uncons1lmed in the de-
cnse 70 strike back 50 effectively. They
lad no reason to think so and, had in
act. argued themselves into thinking the
'everse. Now they know in part. al least
What the real situation is. But what Is
FOch's reserve strength? Is il sufficient 70
permit him TO undertake a series Of often
ives at different parts of the line, as they
themselves have done? That they do not
nov
The British have not been in serious
acton for some time. Not since the
,attle of Flanders have they been en-
,aged in any material numbers While
hey were resting their forces we're aug
nented from recrmtments overseas until
hey were stronger than when the Ger
mans attacked in March f.
GERMANS IN DARK As TO FocH.
''If, therefore, Foch was able to hold
lightly the other sections Of the front. ne
night well be ia position to have the
British attack IN force Just 10 what ex-
ent Foch has taken the initiative the
Germans themselves do not know. They
10 know that the situation is one which
annot be trifled with They dare not take
chance OF weakening one section Of the
ront to strengthen another in order TO
fleet heavy concentration Ii thev
o, and the Allies find the weak spot. It
lay spell disaster as complete as that
Inch has Just been experienced. Until
och has made his move and SO disclosed
Is hand 1t may be that the Germans
i'll be afraid 10 begin new movement
Sewhere,
PLAY THE GAME AND WIN.
Should such be the case. it is probable
lat there will not be a great deal of
ghtlng tins year, ut least on a large
ale. There Will undoubtedly be often
YES at various places and times. These
owever. will probably be local engage
ents designed for the Improvement Of
nsitions The gamble for the Allies. if
icy undertook an offensive, would be
great as that which the Germans
axe taken IN their series Of attacks.
nj there IS no reason for taking
.mble when q little patience will mean
aging a game which Is certain to win.
he most useless thing In the war. how
'er Is prophecy, since it Is seldom
ght
Too many factors enter every Situa-
on, any one of which may change the
tire course of affairs. >