New-York tribune., 1918-06-11

Germans disposed of 1870 divisions,
which they considered sufficient to
overwhelm the Allies. In the new
method of massed attack forty of
these divisions were showed into the
Flanders furnace, mainly against the
British, two and half months ago.
Such massed manplay as the attack
methods of Won Hutier-who places
ends before means-call for took
territory, but failed to realize the
crds sought, the separation of the
French and British armies, the cut
ting off of Britain's Channel commu-
nications and the smashing of the
British armies.
1t was a bold play, and it cost
forty German divisions.
On May q the German Crown
Prince sent his divisions forward be-
tween Scissors and Rheims, presum-
ably with the prime object of ire
trievably smashing the French
troops opposing him. Again the
sheer force of charging human bod
les, outnumbering the defenders
overwhelmingly, gained terrain, but
again the bright red apple which the
Crown Prince so much desired
slipped out Of reach.
The French armies were not
smashed, but fought through an ad-
mirable, elastic retreat, making the
Germans at the same time pay in
the heaviest possible manner. About
forty more divisions which partici-
pated in this offensive are at the
rear to-day, licking their wounds.
These divisions felt the bite of
the French reserves and suffered
heavily. But, more important, it
was here on this front within the
last few days that something hap
pened which must have hastened the
third stage Of the battle.
The Americans Bite
The Germans for the first time
seriously felt the bite, also, of the
. American forces, which in the opin-
ion of those looking at 1.-The situation
in the light of cold facts forced
Hindenburg to strike again quickly
in desperate effort to forestall and
beat the American menace.
The Germans realize that time is
no ally of theirs. Germany's only
hope is speed, and it is plain that
these two considerations rushed
Hindenburg into this colossal win
Oh lose gamble, first, because of the
constantly increasing American
menace, and, second, because of the
growing demand in Germany for the
flnai victory which has been prom
lsed for two years, but never re-
allied.
! Briefly, two current incidents
serve to illustrate. The first is the
campaign now noticeable in the
herman press, apologizing to the
German people, and to the restless
scheldemann Socialists for the lack
or victory, though eighty German
divisions have been occupied. One
of the German papers that arrived
to-day on this front says, in part.
Our supreme command knows
what 1t is doing. Therefore It is
necessary for US to await a change
Our leaders are preparing. New
surprises are coming"
In other words, the German GOV.
ernment err, is saying to the people
"Flease wait. We have a surprise
10 ofrer. Don't be impatient"
Ihe second indication that the
enemy is cognizant of the situation
IS the submarine campaign on the
Atlantic coast of the United States
fldlcule of American efforts has
: ceased. AS seen to-day it is appar
entt how vigorously the Germans are
striving to check them.
American troops. fighting shoul
der to shoulder with the French ant
the British, are showing remarkable
| qualities, and the Germans are an
prehensive.
Germany is truly fighting witt
the desperation of tiger in a burn
ing cage. am in a position to know
that German soldiers are convinced
Germany is making her last des
perate effort.
!, Some enemy companies entering
the line with half their strength have
l lost 30 per cent Of their remaining
eifectlves. Battalions identified and
checked have lost so per cent. Some
battalions with a company strength
of less than 70 per cent at the Be f
ginning Of the present drive have
lost nearly half Of the remainder.
Regiments which reached the
, Marne in the full flush of victor,
: were there met by French artiller,,
nre that decimated them. A single
unit, a regiment of perhaps 2.0O(
men, which attacked Marne bridge,
; held by French colonials and Ameri
can ca machine gunners at Chatea,
Ihlerry on June 2, undoubtedly los
!, half its number.
Machine guns, cannon and aero
planes, fighting defensvely, have
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