The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-26
GERMANS FAIL
TOSTART DRIVE
Change in Tactics Indicated in
Reports Appearing in
Enemy Press.
TINE Is AIDING ALLIES
Unity Of Command and Su-
periOrity in Air Lessen
Danger Of Attack.
TIME IS AIDING ALLIES
Special Gable Despatch TO TINS SrS
CO0nyiohf lafH. nil rrohfs Spaagcsd

Special Gable Despatch TO THB SrS.
Copyright. 1918: all rohs resssred.
LONDON. May 25.-Aside from the fact
that the Bethune sector is being bonn
barded constantly with gas shells and
the reports of German activity east Of
Hasebrouck. near the western end Of
the ridges that guard the Flanders plain.
there is still nothing to indicate the re-
sumption Of the German offensive.
Some interesting suggestions as to
German strategy have appeared recently
in German papers. The Frankfurter
Gazette insists that the German cam
paign is distinguished In every feature
from the long continued battles OF evi!
repute." This must be taken to mean
that the German high command has de-
liberately rejected tho idea on which the
French and English tactics up to the
spring Of 1917 and the English tactics
ceeded. namely. that the opponents line
could be broken by a succession Of pushes
renewed over a long period.
Gen. Ludendorfrs theory that sudden
ness and surprise were vital elements IN
victory undoubtedly Is the underlying
principle Of the present offensive. 1t is
to be presumed that the resumption OF
the offensive will depend upon the de-
cision Of the German Stan that the time
has arrived when these advantages may
again BE- obtained.
Allies Gain Advantage.
Tho circumstances which enabled the
Germans to profit in March by what was
then considered to be the essential con-
ditions for success are now greatly
changed to the advantage Of the Alliea
Unity Of command now replaces the
former divided command OF the al
lied armies. insuring the free distribution
OF reserves and harmony Of action. AL
lied superiority in the air and more set
tied weather lessen the possibility of
the unexpected concentration OF the en-
emy. whose troops also do not now pos
sees the same degree Of perfected lat.
eral communications directly behind the
front. which enabled him TO transfer
men from one part to another more rap
idly than the Allies could.
Under these changed conditions II IS
not improbable that the German high
command. still basing Its strategy on
the element OF surprise and suddenness.
may refuse to confine the renewal OF
the offensive to the old lines. that Is.
to an attempt to separate the British and
French armies by reaching the sea AT
the mouth Of the Somme. or failing that
by reaching the Channel ports. isolatihs
that portion Of the British army thai is
holding the Ypres district
Many Attacks Are Likely.
The alternative would be one or more
attacks in force upon different sectors
Of the Allies front Some military COM
mentators suggest that IL the Austr!ans
are in condition to begin an offensive
German attack south OF the Woevre. at
the junction of the American and French
line. in connection with an Austrian
thrust into western Italy. must not De
left out OF consideration.
Two remarks which have appeared in
the German newspapers are suggestive
OF the locality for the possible resump-
ton OF attacks. One is 1T is no longer
possible to put a ring around an enemy
with an army Of 100000 men. new
TO particular sections OF m army" The
other is The aim OF the German su-
preme command Is to dissolve the entire
static battle line and to turn It into an
improvised front, shaken at many points
OF vital Importance 20 as to make the
whole position ripe for storming.'
The first quotation suggests an at
tempt to cut off the Allies north OF
Locre by a thrust directed from KEN
mel to the northwest toward Poperinghe.
an attempt at which already has been
made and although 1t failed disastrously
the danger of its resumption is ever
present. The second quotation would
seem to refer to those parts OF the orig
inal battle front which still remain un-
broken. namely. the northern sector
nearest the sea and that between Gi-
venchy and Arras
Allies Can Afford Loss.
Attacks against the first sector al
ready have been attempted against the
Belsians north Of Ypres and against the
British and French northwest Of KEN
mel. Either or both OF these thrusts
may be renewed in some form OF other.
but the Allies can afford to lose ground
about Ypres II they can make the Ger
mans pay high enough in loss OF man.
power.
Between Givenchy and Arleux north
east OF Arras. the Allies line forms the
from: face OF blunt salient. II the
Germans attack here It probably will be
by simultaneous convergent blows aimed
from the southwest through Bethune.
and from the northwest In the ne!ghbor-
hood OF Albert toward Doullens.
That the enemy's need Of a real de-
cision is now greater than ever is un-
deniable, Military critics who believe
that Abbeville. west of Amiens. Is still
the principal German objective. argue
that II they attack through Bethuna
toward Doullens It will be only beca use
success IN the direction OF Amens would