Evening star., 1918-02-19

s ready to make the supreme and
tised so widely in the past weeks
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg and Gen.
Won Ludendorf appear to have realized
that the old methods of attack. in which
long bombardment is employed, are too
well known to produce the results desired
Accordingly the German troops are being
told that surprise attacks. such as were
used in Galicia last summer. at Riga and
again on the Isonzo, are to De trled
against the allies on the western front.
Much stress has been laid on the fact
that tanks and new gas are to be USED,
leaving the infantry little to do. but TO
walk through the gaps and consonoate
the positions captured. German troops
have been trained to make long approach
marches and then to storm enemy posi-
tions after a short gas shell bombardment
Those obstacles which the German artil-
lery has not obliterated will be rushed
by the troops or ignored. The German IN
fartry will rely on weight Of numbers,
masses of machine guns, mobile bat-
teries to finish the work begun by the
tanks and gas
Word has been passed out by the Ger
man high command that few OF the al.
lied troops will survive the effects OF
the tanks, the gas and the lombard
ment, and that fresh German infantry
will overcome speedily any resistance
offered in captured positions.
Troops Are Skeptical.
Despite these assurances and the inten-
sfve training to which they have been put
the German troops are frankly skepti-
cal. and are undertaking their task
with no enthusiasm, according to
prisoners. They feel they are going to
be thrown into battle to be used as
cannon fodder and do not relish the
prospect
1t is said Gen. Won Ludendorff recent
1y addressed body of infantry at
Laon and asked how many men were
willing to fight to finish. Only five non-
commissioned officers and privates
stepped forward. The others declared
their desire for an early peace by ar
rangement."
German officers. on the other hand.
appear to have the conviction they will
be able to break through by means of
their secret attacks
Gen. Won Hutier. who is reputed to
have laid the plans for the capture of
Riga, has come to the western front to
assist in the preparation. The lessons
of the capture of Riga have been
preached religiously to the German
troops. 1t has been pointed out that
there a preliminary bombardment of
four or five hours to cut the enemy wire
and demolish defenses was sufficient to
give the Germans a firm footing in the
Russian positions. The enemy troops
have not been told. however. that the
morale of the Russians at Riga was
very low and that tie German attack
was complete surprise.
Allied Morale High.
The Germans will find the allied mo-
rale at the highest pitch in the western
front and their attack will be far from
the surprise desired. The allies are
ready for big blow and await with
assurance the next move of the German
high command.
The German attack cannot be delayed
much longer.
All information points to the fact
that both German civilians and soldiers
are keyed up to such pitch of nervous
expectancy that the strain cannot en-
dure for long. They are waiting for
the attack with feverish hope that the
high command can this time make good
its promise The German troops are
expected to fight well.
Battles to Be sanguinary.
The coming battles will perhaps be
they will be the most intense yet seen
But they will mark the beginning OF
the end. for il the Germans do not
break clear through the allied line
finished. The emperor is putting eyery
ounce of strength into this great gam
Bile and il it fails in the early stages il
means the end of Prussian militar rism
The allied forces have a superiority
In numbers, both in men and guns and
no doubt is felt On this front as to tbe
outcome.
British in Successful Raid.
By the Associated Press,
LONDON. February 1s-The official
statement reads:
Successful aids were carried on,
by us last night in three different Sec
tors Of the front.
Southeast Of Epehy Irish troops
entered the enemy's trenches in the
neighborhood of Gillemont farm and
brought back a few prisoners
Another successful raid in which
i've prisoners were captured by us
was carried out by Canadian troops
south of Lens
Further north Lancashire border and
Yorkshire troops raided German posi-
tions in the southern portion of Hout-
hoist forest on a wide front A large
number OF the enemy were killed and
twenty-ssven prisoners and a machine
gun were captured by US. Our casual
ties wege slight"
Germans Driven Oh.
Tho cfaeial statement from British