The Washington herald., 1918-03-24
The Second Phase.

Inc Seconu rnaSe,
No variation from the accepted formula is to be
found in the progress of the gigantic battle the
Scarpe and the Oise so far. The Germans have
carried the first and second line trenches in many
spots, and in others, with concentration of shock
troops, have bitten some distance into the first
British defensive system At ST. Quentin, the el-
bow of salient and point of contact between
the French and British lines Hindenburg has
launched the spearhead of his mightest attack;
with what results know, but only in such
vagueness of outline and with such transitory and
tentative reports that it is unsafe to speculate
to what the degree of penetration will be in
that sector. Field Marshal Haig assures the world
that his troops have fallen back to previously pre-
pared positions, in good order and with ranks un-
broken. Upon that assurance we can rest know
ing that the fight now has been carried to a stage
where the odds Overwhelmingly in favor of the
defensive
The immediate German objective appears to
be the driving OF wedge between the French
and British forces, to be followed by independently
integrated drives upon Paris and the Channel ports
Nothing has yet developed to indicate that this OBJ
sjective be attained The German general staff
has uncovered no surprise move, no new secret OF
strategy, no news monster of destruction to threat
en- the validity of the defense that has been or
ganized.
Berlin boasts that her own highly trained Sc
lected professional divisions will oyerwhelm the
British civilian troops in open fighting 1t ac-
knowledges that in trench warfare the English
have developed a technique equal if not superior
to their own 1t assumes, however that the British
are without experience in the fighting in the open
which the German general staff is determined to
reach, regardless Of the of life. This cool
assumption ought to be proved a fallacy. 1t
IS to be doubted whether the enemy can ever
force determination OF the issue in the open.
To do this practically all the network of trenches
IN the defense must be Stormed and taken But
IN any event Tommy Atkins can be trusted to give
good account OF himself when he comes to grips
with Fritz with the rife and bayonet.
Doubt there yesterday as to whether this
was the grand blow OF the mailed fst; there can
be no further uncertainty now. The German is
striking with cimacteric force. Obviously, he is
striking TO force a decision. Failing that what
cCnfronts him, and what will his future policy be-?
First OF all, he must show the German people
certain results from the drive. There will be- per-
haPs, thin strip OF regained French territory to
show, purchased at a fearful cost OF German blood.
The Populace must believe that the British and
French peoples have been shattered by the
impact that they are ready to force their govern
ments to negotiate an early peace and that if the
allies refuse to talk peace. in lieu of tempt
ing territorial concessions in exchange for free
opening a reign of "frightfuIness" which will
make her previous essays in this fine art of dabol-
ism seem mild in comparison
Whether she breaks through" or not Ger
many is determined TO convince her enemies OF
the hopelessness of further efforts for her defeat
OF the futiity OF further slaughter and of making
her own people a unit IN the belief that the onus
and the responsibility for continuing the war
tragedy rests not upon her. but upon her enemies.
In the second of these purposes she may sue
ceed. The first is vain, for the Teuton is making
his characteristic miscaculaton OF the material and
spiritual resources OF the world arrayed against
him.
The drive primarily is political But the mill
tarists would have sponsored it if they had
not been convinced of real prospect OF making
it sweeping victory Indeed. they have Russia
her back; Italy purely on the defensive; the
Western front quiescent, with the certainty that
the organization OF the American armies will
change the entire situation in France within
twelve eighteen months time. The crcum-
stances dictated action.
As for Great Britain and France they arc
meeting the worst that militarism has to offer
and can discount the offensive as it now stands.
Within the next few days the counter ofeusives
will start, and there is need of touching upon
the brilliant potentalities they hold Indeed the
farther the present battle drifts away from formula
from rote. from the drill manual the greater the
prospect OF turning the thing into a Teutonic
debaele will be. German strategy and generalship
is predetermined and predgested affair, assumed
30 be scientifically "waertight;" does not create
mprovise in the midst of action
But the battle is yet in mid career Ali
that be said with certainty is that the initial
phase shows nothing to shake our confidence that
riilization is safe the hands OF Haig and Pctan