The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-23

The battle-ground apparently chos-
en- for the great German offensive
includes the scenes Of at least three
great battles of the war, Arras, the
Somme and Cambria.
The western line, as everyone will
recall, drops down from the North
sea to Laon in a direct line, before it
swings to the eastward. This sector
is roughly a little more than 100
miles in length, and it is the southern
half Of this that the Germans have
chosen for their drive; provided the
offensive begun Thursday really is
their great 1918 spring offensive.
To the north Of this sector lies the
scene Of the British attacks in FIand-
ers, and around the bend in the line,
! IS miles to the east, lies Verdun. The
scene Of the other great offensive Of
the war.
The Graveyard of Europe.
The district between Arras and
La Fere, which is now the scene of
such heavy fighting, is the graveyard
Of Europe. On its northern end was
the great battle Of Arras. About in
the center was the battlefield Of the
Somme and on the edge Of the lat
ter. the scene Of the great Cambria
drive. Perhaps a million men have
given up their lives in this fifty mile
stretch Of territory, and every inch
Of its soil has been pulverized with
artillery.
As this is being written, Friday
evening, there seems to be still some
doubt whether this attack Of the
Germans is really their big offensive,
or the cover for some other blow. The
dispatches Of Saturday and Sunday
should make this clear. The uncer-
tainty may be due TO the policy Of
the British headquarters in holding
back reports. Evidently the censor
ship has been very strict, in order to
prevent any news reaching the enemy
that would be Of assistance to him.
But the reports show that the bonn
bardment was Of great intensity over
a front of fifty miles; that at least
forty divisions were massed in this
sector by the Germans; and that the
artillery concentration was the
greatest yet known, there being in
places a gun for every twelve yards.
Then the infantry attack vas launch
ed along this whole line, the Germans
going forward in three lines, fol-
lowed By shock troops.
II that is not the real offensive it
is hard to see how the real attack
could be in greater force. The Ger
mans haven't the troops available to
make it 50. They may launch an
auxiliary drive on another part Of
the line. but this, il would seem,
must be At least one Of the main at
taclzs.
Censorship Strict.
Just because the reports OF the
lighting have not been as y0Iuminous
as in former oHensives should not be
taken as evidence that the attack is
OF minor importance. Both sides
know that the crisis Of the war is
here. and that this battle may decide
the outcome. In such crucial
the correspondents are al
fenced, for no chances are taken Of
giving away any advantage however
slight
From the rather msager reports Of
the first two days fighting. il would
appear that ths Allies are fully hold
ing their own, and dealing hammer
like blows IN return. The fact that
front trenches are taken in places,
signifies nothing. The front lines
frequently are SO fhinly held. under
the new plan Of trench warfare, that
they can be captured with little
dimculty. and even without artillery
Reserve troops are then
thrown against the invaders and the
real lighting begins.
The battle may continue for weeks. I
as did the struggle on the somma
and ct Werduns "a FLANDERS.
May Mean War With Bulgaria
The presence Of Bulgarian troops
On the western front may brnE an