New-York tribune., 1918-03-25
Offensive Is Last Resort of
Militarists, Says War
Department Review
Control by Political
Manoeuvres allied
No Definite Enveloping
Movement as Yet Out
lined by Enemy


ment's weekly communicate, issued to-
day proves that the German m:litar-
ISIS, 10 longer able to control the Ger
man people by political manceuvre.
faye been forced to attempt gigantic
-eat Of arms to maintain their domina-
sion.
While the great attack has been able
TO make headway. no DEFINITE envelop
ing movement has been outlined, the
communicate says. and il would be pre-
mature to express opinions on the tao
teal phases, with the combat situation
inevitably changing in a battle Of such
magnitude.
"The assault launched by the Ger
mans against the British front has re-
opened the lighting season III the
West says the communque.
This operation confirms to US that
The German higher command, unable
to control the strategic situation
through political agencies. as has been
increasingly attempted during the past
our months, has heen forced to en-
gage IN a desperate military venture
III an effort to retain its domination
ever the peoples of the Central En-
rlres, and, If possible. force a victo-
Fious peace by the fortune OF arms
Review Drives Progress
The German attack began with a
brlet but overwheln lining artillery bonn
bardment with high explosive and gas
shells az dawn on March II in the
rolling country north of the Disc, nine
.y-four miles northeast Of Paris.
From Creisilles. south to Nendeuil,
distance OF forty miles, the
,iermans concentrated this preliminary
harrage. in which 4 number of Aus
trian batteries participated.
AZ the same time hostile artillery
was active in the Ypres-Labassee re-
sion,
The German infantry divisions
thereupon advanced to the attack along
the fianks OF the salient in front Of
Cambria. Furious fighting continues
en- the northern flank between Croi-
silleS. Bullecourt and Laenicourt, on
the southern along the line of Gou-
zeaucourt-H -Hargicou -Leverguier, and
extending across the Crozat Canal to
beyond La Fere.
No Enveioping Movement
The british forces are heavily en-
gagged. While the Germans have been
able to make headway, no definite en-
Teloping movement is as yet outlined
at would be premature to express an
cnlnioa regarding the tactical phases
oI the operations now taking place
We must expect further changes in the
combat situation. which are inevitable
IN battle Of such magnitude
tnemy casualties have been exceed
lngly heavy.
ARTILLERY duels are reported in Ar
'ois and Flanders, and the extension
OF the battlefront is possible.
Prior to the German attack great
activity prevailed along the entire Brit
ish front The British troops were sue
cesstul IN number OF raids strongly
driven into the enemy lines, proving
their alertness and initiative
Our own forces in training in Lor-
ralnc are still holding on to the
trenches northeast Of Badenvillier
which were captured last week. In this
region our artillery is continuing to
batter the German lines. and a number
OF scouting parties. which have pene-
rated me German positions. report
nat enemy works have been consider
ably damaged.
-, in our sector north OF Toul our ar
uilery has successfully bombarded en-
emy works and billets behind their
mes During raid one of our patrols
reached the German second line and re-
turned without suffering any casual.
eles. In this area the enemy made a
enfust against the French forces on our
4ank I4 Our own forces became engaged
ine Germans were driven of.
"a hostile raid was also attempted
@,salnst our forces at another point
his operation was preceded BE- n
slrohg barrage. Our infantry, we'll
ss.pported BY artillery, was able to stop
ne attacking colamn before our
-sencnes we're reached Our trooDs
AIDED hostile works east Of Lunevilje
n inc Laon area the enemy used a
cohzldcrable number of gas shells,
.ausin2 only slight casualties Gas
''"Dardments were noted in lorraine
French Front Active
The French front has also been cx
.Iemely active. Large raiding opera-
ions were undertaken. more cspe-
eciaiiy N the Nerdun area. A brisk
srehca attack against the hostile
trenches IN Malincourt Wood resulted
~ inc penetration Of the enemy line
'1 front Of 400 yards to = depth Of
o"9 yards. Eighty prisoners were
laKen. Another very gucccssful French
iaid was conducted against the ad-
AGENT positIon2 near Cheppy Wood,
"nerc. on frontage Of over 800 yards,
depth Of 900 yards wag attained and
numerous prisoners were captured.
american officers who arc training
"ifh French units participated in these
operations.
The Gerr~ans in turn temporarily
Hfre able TO penetrate the French
Senchez at Samogneuz, Carriers Wood
md Bczoavaux, while southwest Of
ornes and west Of Aprcmont the enc
ny 'arus. forward Il number Of units
ana succeeded in ovcrrunring the French
positions and took prisoners. Hitherto
fhere has beer no indication Of an ex-
fenzion u the German offensive TO the
french front.
We also note that Belgian units
nave taken oyer the important North
oea aegncnfs II the Western front
,,Fhieen for a tong period had been held
~ the French.
Simultaneous With the German Of
.fpatse operations in the Wesf, We note
'1fthHr hostile activity IN Italy, whlch
ny BE- the prelude of an offensive in
s.nis theatre. An Austrian detachment
launched heavy assault in fhc Frcn-
Hfi& valley and was able 20 penetrate
~" tne advance outpostz, but was
lnereupon checked
Peace between Russia ard the Cen
t5ai PDwers has been ratified at Mos-
eeo"' Howevcr, the enemy is continu-
,,Hy 10 advance: into Rurala. Petrovrad
bss been eyacdatcd. The kuas;an Gen.
ri STAFF haS tnoyed from Gnoicnak 10
1e1eow. While the Gcrmans have
gaae no DeW attefnpt ~ advance in
Il