New-York tribune., 1918-05-30

growing American army had not yet
made itself felt
The afternoon newspapers. while not
seeking to minimize the seriousness of
the German blow on the Aisne, assure
the public that the Allies reserves
are coming into action.
They featured the success OF She
Americans near Montddier, publishing
long accounts from British correspond
ents, who credit the Americans w;th
brilliant fighting.
In many respects the German at
tack on the Aisne and it's results
bear striking similarity to the
opening of the German offensive in
March. The present movement, how
ever, differs in a most vital point,
namely, that on this occasion there
never has been, as was the case in
March, danger of the Allied line break
ing. On the contrary, as soon as it was
found the Allies were unable to hold
the crest orders were given for the
retirement to the Aisne, and the An
glo-Frencn force made an orderly re-.
treat in perfect unity.
Points of similarity are that again
the Germans discovered weak point
in the Allied line and attacked in a
superiority Of FIVE to one. Gas also
again played all important part, the
Allies forces being compelled to wear
masks for hours at stretch.
The brunt of the German onslaught
was borne by the Sixth French Army,
under General Meist.
German newspapers are already ap-
/, piauding the advances of the Grown
Princes army as dynastic victory
Tor the Hohenzollerns, but the cor
respondents show that he has gained
a line no stronger than that which he
already held. At the same time the
enemy, by extending the battle line.
mas seriously dispersed his forces, all
OF which must be kept up to strength
despite ratio of loss constantly
! higher than that of the defenders.
long
Observers are agreed that the
losses OF 81, the Allies are comparatively
small. Their retirement was deliberate
and was carried out in good order.
several Of the morning newspapers
Witnhold comment on the battle
pthcrs, while admitting the Germans
nave gained substantial initial sue
cess cess deprecatee any idea of treating
the cnemy's advance too seriously. #
is recalled that similar thrusts have
not been followed by continuous sue
cess. '"@
Big Loss of Guns Feared
THE Daily Chronicle" fears that tho
advance has involved big loss in guns,
but thinks that in other respects it
neeG 9, not cause undue alarm. 1t adds:
The country is so difficult that Gen
etal Foch's reserves should have time
70 intervene before the strategic
situation is altered seriously to the
deteriment of the Allies. The Germans.
however, probably have done rather
better than they expected, although
i. their achieveE>>ct thus far does not 90
much beyond undoing the effects Of
last years French victories"
III the German successes had been
won two months ago." says "The
Daily Graphic" "they would have ere
ated a a widespread feeling of alarm.
Experience, however. has shown that
lowed by long pauses of impotence
consequently, we are able, without
making light of the new German ad
vance, to regard it calmly
Retreat Deliberate, Says "Times"
"rhe Times" sees indications that
the whole line which the Germans as
saolted was manned rather lightly and
thinks 1T clear that the retirement was
NS1toS'ate outcome OF definite
resolution made swiftly in view Of the
formidable character Of the onslaught,
The significance Of the German ad-
vance cannot be minmized and the
advance to the Vesle converts the at
tack into an operation of great i'm
portance and some menace. The loss
OF the positions which the Allies have
sacrificed so much to maintain is
regrettablc, development and we fear
mat many heavy guns may have fallen
'".o .s,s sne hands OF the. enemy
ihe enemy's achievements" de-
| clered The Daily News" "is form;-
nanle and brings them further south
! tnan they have been in this sector
SINCE trench war began in 1914. But
.nere ought to be no occasion for seri-.
oas u;s, aiarm We have grown familiar
which achieve startling success in
the hrst rush and lose their imnetns