The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-04-11
GERMANY'S ONLY CHANCE.


tlon on the western front. Germany
IS still pounding away here and there
along the line. The latest reports say
the Germans have carried the fighting
into Flanders, extending their great
battle line from near Ypres in the
north to Coucy lie Chateau, on the
extreme French right, along battle
line of 1870 miles.
There is only one way in which
Germany can win this war and that is
to break thru the western line at or
near the connecting point of the Brit
lsh and French armies, then bending
the British lines back to the north,
capturing or annihilating the British
forces, when the Huns would be able
to take care of the French army. The
German army is stronger than either
the British or the French army, but
the Allies together outnumber the
Huns slightly. Germany, in attack
ing the allied line, has staked all on
/ this one chance Of success. She chose
the time to strike, also the place. The
Allies had no way of telling just
where the Huns were going to center
on their great drive, therefore for a
time they were at disadvantage, for
the Germans were able to mass forces
several times greater than those of
the Allies. 1t has been exactly three
weeks since the great drive began
and the Allies no doubt have had
chance to strengthen their line at the
point of attack so that by now, it is
possible that the Allied forces are
fully as strong at the point where
the Germans are trying to penetrate,
as the Huns themselves. At least
this would be indicated from the late
reports that have been coming thru.
! The Germans have made but slight
gains here and there during the past
week, and on the other hand, in places
they have been driven back by the
French, while the British have been
able to hold them in check.
Germany sees that she must win
very quickly or she can never win at
all. Paris is not particularly her OBJ
ective, for the war would never end
with the mere capture of the French
capital.
Germany is showing signs Of ner-
vousness over the Russian situation.
While the Russian army is demoral-
lied, an effort is being made to reor
ganize it and there are evidences of
much guerrilla warfare thruout Rus
sia which will keep many thousands
of German troops engaged.
The very latest reports from the
western front are disquieting. The
Germans have driven two sharp sal
tents into the British line at the ex-
treme north in an effort to reach the
sea. Haig's wings are holding but the
center has been pushed back, by the
powerful attacks. The Germans yes
terday continued to gain ground. The
Independent learns today that the
Yankee infantry, after march which
started on the anniversary OF our dec
laration of war on Germany, reached
the British battle line. The unshaven
faces and unkempt appearance OF our
men showed that they had been long
on the march and as they came up
alongside of the British, there were
great cheers.
The Germans have in the last day
or two made some important gains,
having taken Neuve Chapelle, the
center of fierce battles three years
ago. General Foch, who is General
issimo of all Of the Allied forces, un-
doubtedly is waiting for just the right
moment. He dares not make the at
tack before the time is just right and
he must select the proper spot. The
great war can either be won or lost
for either side within the next few
days. The situation appears critical
for the Allies and the events of the
next few days will be watched with
breathless interest.
! One of the pleasing features Of the
big drive is the fact that the Germans
have not been able to capture Amiens,
which undoubtedly was their objec-
tive. Neither was Won HinGenberg
able to eat his much-advertised dinner
in Paris on April FOOLS day. The
British are pretty apt to fool the Ger
mans again. The Independent looks
for some news whcih will prove Nigh
ty discouraging to the Kaiser within
the next few days.