El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-02-02

The allies have occupied and worked
On their present lines for not more
than nine months, in some places not
more than three or four Consequent
~ the same amount OF work has not
been put upon them as upon the old
crust" OF trenches that was formed
during two years Of comparative IN
action on most Of the battle front.
The second point. perhaps more i'm
r0rraut, is The superior character OF
TIE German communications immedi-
afelT behind their front This was IL
Iustrated in the battle Of Cambria
The advances OF the British and
French armies during past campaigns
have been made over country indie
scribably desolated by shell fire, and
By systematic destruction in districts
where no fighting took place In the
rear Of the allied lines therefore,
stretch miles OF desert Across these
terrible wastes Of desolathon, roads
have been made and railways built
rermnu TRANSPORTATION Is Good.
But behind the German lines lie vii
lages and towns. intact. Great trunk
ALWAYS run behind their lines, all
tire network Of communication con-
Erructed IN peace time to serve this
rich Industrial district, is serving
them II war Water is not problem;
they have wells and streams, while
the allies must pipe water for miles
because the water supply on old bat
rlsfields is fouled-
Besides those two points. there are
10 important advantages favoring the
enemy for the next offensive Against
them may be set the single fact that
IN this war experience has proved
that an enormous superiority OF
Enen. guns and shell IS necessary TO
successfully carry out on a large
scale an offensive operation against
troops that fight 70 the last. Ihis
Superiority the Germans have not
got. and cannot get
Tie political character OF the com
ing attack becomes evident in the
light Of the conservative estimate OF
the strategic situation from an emf
ueut zuthority. which follows, an
analysis showing clearly that there is
not the slightest chance Of a decisive
German victory in the west, provided
The civilians hold OUT
we are told in duly quoted and
circulated extracts from German
newspspers that the mailed fist is
nov 70 be directed against France 4
very simple consideration OF the
strztsgical situation in the west
leaves IL clear that II there is to be
this onset against the French, the
German right wing between the Olse
and the sea must in the meantime be
roierablv secure. 1t would never do
10 launch such an onslaught against
the French and leave this right wing
flank exposed 10 q dangerous pressure
from the British That would be IN
EilnE disaster.
To Hit at Right Wing.
Therefore, the preliminary Is TO
render the right safe. The right was
none 100 secure even when the Sieg-
fried line between Bullecourt and St
Quentin remained intact. It Is much
less secure now that thst defence
work has been preached Conversely.
n. IN order 10 secure the right the
r1esssd fist be directed in the first in
stance against the British, there is
the danger OF a nanEinE pressure
from the French, and the more so
because they hold the dominating
ridges.
What IS the result2 Either that
fhe whole allied front on the west
must Re attacked at one and the
sane tine, OF that some attempt
must Be- made 20 patch Up the posi-
fion. and nullify the battles OF 1917
hT localized operations
Concerning the latter more mod
est. but relatively much more prac-
rfazbie program. rumOr, as might be