New-York tribune., 1918-03-26
Haig's Army Rallies as
Drive Pivots on Rail-
way Centre
Reverse Conceded,
But Not Disaster
English Pin Faith in Fact
That Ranks Are Still
Unbroken
By Arthur S. Draper
lTrlbnne cah.s Scrzieel

LONDON, March 25.-Like a football
team battered back to the 25-yard line,
Haig's army has found itself and is
making a gallant stand in the defence
of Amiens, which is the immediate goal
OF the German forces The Kaiser's
hope OF a successful enveloping move
ment has not been realized and his
plans to seize Amiens. an important
railway centre, so far have been frus-
trated
The British army has suffered de-
feat. but not disaster. A line running
south from Bapaume along the west
bank Of the Somme canal roughly fol
lows the British positions at the open
ing Of what Ludendorf calls the gi-
gantic battle of Bapaume Against
these positions the Germans have made
repeated assaults. but British counter
attacks have somewhat neutralized the
enemy's advances.
British Are Holding
North Of Bapaume and south of Pc
rome the greatest pressure has been
to fight with the greatest violence and
desperation along the whole sector, but
there is no question but that the Brit
ish now have their toes IN and are in
places holding gallantly.
The British are not out of the woods.
although the situation has improved
cons derably. Proof that the British
withdrawal was orderly is found in that
comparatively few prisoners have been
claimed by the enemy. The British
have also shown by their counter
thrusts that, although buifeted and
beaten, they still carry a heavy punch.
Americans in Action
! understand that several French and
American divisions held N reserve have
been IN action and have given a good
account Of themselves on the right
flank. About Noyon and the River Disc
the French have been giving the Brit
lsh invaluable assistance since Satur-
day. Several divisions have been
hurled INTO the breach and the German
ONSLAUGHT has been retarded.
Necessarily tie British in their hur-
red retirement. were forced 10 aban-
don many guns and large quantities OF
stores and ammunition. but the Ger
man claims Of rich booty should be &C
cepted with reserve. Guns on con
crete elnp}acemnnt: We're obviously IN
mobile. but the British destroyed these
before abandoning them.
| have made twO trips over the pres
cnt battlefield. which the British Sc
cured only q short time back. If fur
tner retirement IS necessary the Brit
sh viii fall back to the Albert -Roye
ine of 1916. covering Amiens. This is
an especially strong position.
The whole country is undulating, Of
fering exceptionally good defensive po-
sitions Il the enemy is held here. it is
reasonable TO expect he Will attempt a
drive with Rheims as the objective
Already an intense bombardment mas
been opened in this sector
Armentieres and La Basse are also
likely to become lively soon. To lose
Peronne means nqrhing, nor does the
evacuation OF Bapaulne; the only thing
thau counts is tha' the armies of Byne
and Cough remain intact. The haul Of
British prisoners most OF whom are
from Scotch battalionS. causes no
alarm, because The public appreciates
the size Of The forces engaged.
Losses Of Minor Moment
On this point Hilaire Belloc com
ments
"The enemy's claims are familiar to
the public-30.000 prisoners, 600 guns
But losses on this scale do not affect
the issue-as yet. That issue can only
by judged by the success or failure OF
the enemy to create broad rupture
in the lines. especially to create such
rupture in the neighborhood Of the
British right. What is unknown, and
The proportion Of his losses. Fifty