New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-13
On the Old S0n1n1e Line
By Frank II. Simonds

the Vesle. Driven from the Somme SAIL
ent, they are striving to rally on the old
Somme line and are certain to stand
successfully either at the upper Somme or
at the Hindenburg line.
We are not going to see now or in
any immediate future--probably not at
all-anything like what happened in the
Marine campaign Of 1914. 1t is impos-
sible, given present numbers and the rel
whole enemy line. Partial breaks, like
those the Germans made in March, April
and May, quickly led to the reestablish-
ment of the defeated Allies on new posi-
tions behind the broken front. The same
thing happened following the German
defeat at the Marine three weeks ago
and is obviously fo-eshadowed in the
present operation.
The only war of movement possible is
between the position out of which the
enemy has been forced and the new posi-
ton. So far this has not lasted more
than week in any case, and at the end
OF three days in the present operation
the force of the pursuit is slowing down
and the Allies have come up against a
new, if only temporary, position.
Again, as in the Marine case three
weeks ago, it is essential to perceive
clearly the inevitable limits to Allied
success that we may rightly appreciate
the success itself. After the defeat of
the Germans in the Second Battle of the
Marine it was clear to all military OBJ
servers that the German army would be
able to retire to the Vesle or the Aisne
and that the lines would again stabilize
behind one Of these rivers.
The reasons are simple A break
through can be only on restricted front
because of the material and men re-
quired. 1t can come only as result of
surprise, and as soon as the first sur
prise is over the enemy will pour re-
serves and artillery into the gap. The
victor will advance over ruined roads
away from his bases, the vanquished will
retire upon his bases, and the advantage
OF superior communications will pres
entity give the latter superiority in num-
bers and, what is more important, in
artillery.
When this moment has arrived further
efforts to advance will be costly and
futile. The history of every offensive
has proved this. Accordingly the old
condition of trench warfare returns. It
IS only between positions, then, that a
war of movement is possible The move
ment is really a pursuit of the enemy
from one line to another, and the capture
OF men and guns takes place in the first
two or three days, while the effect of the
surprise remains.
IN the present case the element of sur
prise has been exhausted. The enemv is
gettlng up reserves of men and guns,
MS advantage in communications is be-
ginning to tell and the period of rapid
advance is over. Unless the British and
french can. break the German TANKS
and thus widen the gap we are likely to
see general pause within the next few
days, and either on the old Somme line
or the line of the upper Somme.
This will not mean failure or even
relative check for Foch's offensive. It
has achieved practically its maximum
strategic result already. What Foch
undertook to do he has done The mo-
ment may be approaching when he will
desist, or he may strike to the north and
seek new dislocation of the German
front elsewhere, but in a zone adjoining
the zone already affected and thus bound
to have an effect upon it.
We must now learn the three phases
OF the contemporary offensive-penetra-
tlon, pursuit, pause. They invariably
occur in all operations. We have not
yet reached stage where a general
break through and dislocation Of the