New-York tribune., 1918-03-30

Il hAEToW squeeze. n5 the margin be
tween victory and defea. is small. The
German generalship and the Kaiscr's
host are being matched by tenacty,
courage and determination.
Gains Are SmaiIer
For every yard of territory tho
enemy is winning by the power Of his
mass the British and French are ex-
acting an ever increasing toll and now
the calm confidence with which the
Allied leaders are awaiting future de
velopments heartenS every one.
TIE enemy's waves continue to beat
back the defenders. But the depth once
measured in miles IS now measured
only by yards, and with the passing
days each net gain grows smaller
Paris and the Channel ports are
far distant, and the objective of the
great stategic victory which alone can
vindicate the Kaiser and his militar-
lists is still elusive.
With each hour the French and
British reserves increase. The climax
may camo in day or two, or possibly
u week. Certainly both sides are cap
able of dealing blows as heavy as any
delivered hitherto.
To the north of the Somme, along
thirty miles of hell, Haig's troops
are defending their positions, and the
situation has changed only slightly in
the last twentyfour hours. The fight
ing has reached unparalleled intensity,
but every drive of the enemy has been
met and countered with net results
favorable to the British.
British Hold Line
LudendorfF's effort to crush the
Brilish left wing and turn the Vimy
Ridge position has failed thus far.
from the hills about Monchy his artll-
lery rained shells on the British lines,
but his infantry. supported by count
less mitrailleuscs and new field guns,
was unable to dislodge the defenders.
Haig reports the enemy's casualties
were exceedingly heavy and announced
the British improved their positions
st some points.
Reports of the fighting north of the
Somme, which was one Of the danger
points Thursday, are highly encourage
ing, and in a measure counterbalance
the less satisfactory news from south
Of the river.
Unless the Germans obtain their OBJ
icctive to the north, their position
south of the Sommc becomes perilous.
The German army intrusted with the
frontal attack on Amiens continues to
advance.
The weak point, the junction of the
Allied armies, apparently is the centrc
of the most furious onslaughts. With
huge forces echeloned, from Bray the
German army pounded away to Qucs-
mel, Marcelcave and Hamel until the
British and French were forced to
withdraw because of the sharpness or
the salient Of which Quesnel was tbs
tip.
The withdrawal straigntens the Al!
lies line from west of Albert to Mon.
didier. Though the operation brings
the Germans little nearer to Amien>,
their hold. on Montdidier, where tho
French have hit back magnihcently, is
far from secure.
The French counter-a attacked with
great elan and the enemy has less to
show for the days efforts than for any
day since the offensive was launched
All reports from Paris show the
French are regarding the situation
fearlessly and that Clemenceau's state.
ment that all roads to the capital are
blocked is accepted.
Ludendortf's declaration about casu
alties is indicative of the anxiety OF
the German people over the cost of the
great gamble All reports. official and
unofficial, agree that the Germans
never paid so high price as the Allies
are exacting in this battle.
But they seem ready to invest every
thing, and that means q continuation
of the furious pace. So long as there
is possibility of obtaining strategic
success, the enemy may be expected to
leave nothing undone to achieve it.
I have never seen London so de-
serted as it is to-day. Ordinarily the
streets are like a Sunday holiday,
crowded with soldiers and excursion
lists, but both are missing this Good
Friday.
With the fate Of the empire in the
balance, the people remained at home
to work in their gardens and thus de-
feat the enemy's efforts to starve them
while the soldiers moved nearer the
battlefield.
Parliament does not meet until one
week from next Thursday, so no legis
lation can be passed until a fortnight
hence But meanwhile many families
VIII begin to adjust themselves to the
new conditions which must come as a
result Of recent events.