New-York tribune., 1918-03-13
Though Weather Is Favor
able, Troops Ready, Often
sive Is Held Up
Big Gun Fire Grows
On British Front
Germans Using Ammunition
Lavishly From Ypres to
Laon Plateau
By Arthur S. Draper
(Trihune CahIa Sery;ca\

on the Western front is constantly in
creasing in intensity, but though the
conditions have been favorable for an
attack the enemy is hesitating.
The Ypres thrust of the last three
days, which obviously was designed to
pinch off the British salient there but
resulted in a decisive reverse of Ger
man arms, cannct be considered any,
thing more than a local engagement,
and the same may be said of the Teuton
blows at the Allied lines in the Lor-
raine sector.
The enemy is using ammunition Law
ishly on a wide front from Ypres to
Laon Plateau, with an especially heavy
fire near Ypres, Armentieres, Lens,
Cambrai and St. Quentin. Whether he
anticipates British push or is simply
testing the British lines, time alone can
tell. However, it is becoming apparent
that the Germans are not over ANXIOUS
to make the first move, though the
weather has improved and Teuton re-
serves have been brought up from the
rear in great numbers.
Await Events in Russia
Much credence is given here to the
theory of some critics that the Ger
man high commands are awaiting
events in Russia before launching the
threatened great offensive, which, once
1T is begun, cannot be stopped until the
combatants are exhausted. Further, it
fls known that while the General Staff
and the Krupp interests are eager for
another attack on the Western front,
there are few persons outside of mill
tarist circles in the Central Powers who
would not prefer to bargain at the ex-
pense of Russia.
Even the pan-Germans are urging a
defensive policy, basing their argu-
ments upon the belief that the U-boats
will prove sufficiently strong as an of.
fensive weapon.
1t is difficult to gauge the military
value Of the air raids now being made
in increasing numbers on towns and
Much significance is attached, however,
to the often repeated view that this
war is a peoples war-that is being
appreciated more and more as the civil
IAN populations are subjected to greater
hardships and constantly increasing
strain. The action of peoples in past
wars can not be used as a criterion,
because never before have non-com-
batants been put to such a severe test.
British Remain Steady
One thing is certain. The steadiness
of the British civilian population under
such severe nerve rackng strain as
that caused by air raids is amazing,
and if any peoples break under these
features of modern warfare, it will not
be they.
Apparently there is no limit to the
possibility Of air attacks. The number
of bombing machines employed by both
armies and their radius of activity. to-
gether with the fact that bombs are
being made heavier and with greater
destructive power, make weather
less factor in this campaign
ing than ever before. The odds
always favor the attacking forces,
as shown. by. the comparatively few
losses suffered by British. French and
Of their raids have been made in broad
daylight.
AS yet none of the combatants has
devised a satisfactory defence against
air raiders, although some improve
ments are being made. every day. The
attack still is miles in advance of the
defence. Parisians are considering the
advisability of placing German prison
ers in the air raid zones, just as the
Germans established their prison camps
at certain points along the Rhine
However, no such move has been made
by England. the English always being
slow to adopt any form of reprisals.
I have emphasized the question of
aerial attacks, not because recent raids
have accomplished greater results than
others, but because the coming spring
and summer are likely to bring with
them tremendous developments in this
phase of warfare. And civilian morale
now is equal in Importance to that of
the army.