The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1918-03-28


The Germans realize that if they
are to win the war they must do it
this spring-before Americas full
power is thrust against them. They
know if they can't break the line be-
fore your fighters arrive in great
/ numbers that to do so afterwards is
physical impossibility, and they real
ize. too, that once the full current of
/ American power is turned against
/ them they will be swept down There
| fore it is certain that they will soon
stage the biggest drive of the war
setting into motion the largest, most
/ deadly and cruelest human batter
! ing ram that the world has ever
known. This drive will surpass any
thing they have ever before attempted.
Everyone knows that.
"In view of this, is it reasonable to
feel that the allies line cannot be
broken? Would it be fair to lose
courage and become pessimistic if the
Hun did have some success. The
/ British will never quit, the French will
! never quit, the Americans will never
! quit, but wave of pessimism, due to
the shattering of unreasonable hopes
and expectations, could lengthen the
war and suffering a year or more. It's
far better to know what to expect-to
appreciate the task that faces the
men who are fighting for democracy
and civilization.
ut is estimated that the Germans
have transferred more than a hun
dred divisiOns-mOre than two million
men-from the Russian, Rumanian and
Italian fronts to the western theater
These men are flushed with victory and
full of confidence They believe they
can duplicate their successes in the
west. And with these men came great
quantities of artillery and munitions
of all kinds.
"The aggressOrs pay the bill in this
war and during the last year the
British and the French have been the
aggressors, the Germans playing the
defensive and reserytng energy. And
it would be unnatural if the allies did
not show signs of wear.
"While it is generally claimed that
the German method of massed at
lacks has proved a failure, the fact
remains that when they come over the
top this spring, crowded forward by
the confident ones behind, and inspired
by their confidence, they will prove
decidedly tough proposition. Especially
in view of the fact that they will out
number us about two to one -.
allied officers to a man have con
fidence in the American soldier, and
doubt not for a second that America
will see the war through to victory
for democracy-but to man they are
also of the opinion that there is grave
danger that because of the Americans
lack of appreciation of true conditions
he is apt to become pessimistic with
the first setback.
ITO offset this we must say, frankly
and bluntly, that for the Germans tol
break through our present line is not
mpossible-though We'll fight to the
last man to stop them. And once they
do go through they will have us on
their backs hotter than ever-though
we must admit that the situation is a
serious one right now.
1.-THE most important thing for the
American is a realization that the al
lies have no picnic ahead of them and
that the Germans are not gasping for
breath right now, The Hun is pre-
pared for terrific drive that is going
to put us to our limit -.
"But whatever else you do, remem
Der that a little German success this
spring is no excuse for pessimism, and
bear in mind that you can serve us all
! best by cooperating with your own
government, doing your own bit and
by not expecting the impossible of the
troops now holding the west front"