Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-04-23
THE SITUATION IN FRANCE,

nay continue for months, with losses
and gains by both sides, it is appar
ent that a stalemate is fast being
reached.
The most impelling conclusion is
that the Germans have failed in every
objective contemplated by them VIII en
they began their muchly-advertised Of
fensive more than month ago.
The separation of the British and
French armies, the smashing through
the French and the advance on Pals,
and the smashing through the British
and the advance to the coast were the
three great purposes of the German
campaign.
In every one the Kaiser has sig
nally failed
For the territorial gains achieved by
his army, an enormous price has been
paid-a price estimated at more than
200 900 soldiers
On the morning of March 81, the
Hun attack was launched, over front
extending from Aimens to the region Of
Ypres It was the most terrific battle
onslaught the world has ever known,
and it is a marvellous fact that the
British and French, even though ex-
pecting it, were able to endure the
shock.
The first energy was directed at driv-
ing a wedge between the two armies.
This did not succeed The British
fifth army was badly defeated, but its
retreat never became a rout, and final
ly, with the assistance of the French,
it was halted-and there the Germans
stopped also. Coincidently, there was
a mighty effort to drive tne French
away from the Somme, and to secure
of the railroad arteries lead
ing to Paris. The gallant French made
heroic sacrifices to prevent this, and
prevent it they did The next phase of
the battle was the determination to
crush the English army and hurl it
back on the Channel Here some of
the fiercest fighting ensued, and is, to
an extent, still in progress
All the time the British were yield
ing ground, they were retreating, fig
uratively, with their face to the enemy
Never were they on the run. Never
were they disorganized. Never were
they disheartened. Even though it
became necessary for Field Marshal
Haig to issue his famous address to
the soldiers, calling their individual at
tention to the critical stage of the war
and urging them to stand with their
backs to the wall and die if neces-
sary rather than retreat, the British
were never depressed, although heavily
oppressed.
A distinct Allied gain may be seen
as the result of the German offensive
"a unified command. For the first
time since the war began all of the
forces now combating the Hun men,
ace are under a centralized leadership,
and for the first time the Allied troops
are being brigaded together. Not only
are American troops engaged with the
British and the French and the Bel
gians, but Italian soldiers are also on
the first line.
Where few weeks ago the situation
was gloomy and well-nigh heart-rend-
ing, today there is much satisfaction to
be gained by study of the state of
affairs. This is not to say that the
Germans have completely failed, be-
cause their huge army still has alarm
ing pOtentialities; but it is certain that
the original plan has altogether mis-
CARED Whatever battling the future
may bring. it will be part of a new
and original scheme of action; and
the future may also show an Allied
offensive that the world has been ex-
pecting for days. a stroke that may be
a decisive factor in terminating the
war.
"ANOTHER GERMAN VICTORY,