Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-30
Special Cable to Evening Public Ledger

Copyright. 1918. bp Ne,o York Times Co.
Paris, July 30.
The more the German ARMIES re.
| treat and all its attendant circum-
stances are studied here the more ap-
parent becomes to French opinion the
extent Of the disaster which has be.
fallen the German armies. Foch's
blow on the enemy's exposed right
flank between Scissors and the Marne,
1t Is now clear, not only brought about
the immediate defeat of the enemy
which we are witnessing, but also
brought to naught the whole grand.
| ose and hitherto successful German
| plans, which have been in the course
| of development for more than two
years.
These plans were laid on a colossal
| scale and can only be appreciated II
we detach ourselves for the moment
| from the immediate events and look
at the last year of war more or less
from philosophical point of view.
The German plans, which have just
been shattered, undoubtedly began to
| be put into operation with linden
burg's great strategic retreat of two
years ago. At tkat juncture the Ger.
mans found themselves at a standstill
in the west. faced with an enormous
and well.equipped British army. That
army, supported as 1t was by the
French, threatened at that time. II
no other events interviewed. to attack
the whole German front facing II be-
tween the North Sea and the British
junction with the French armies.
Germans Feared Attack
But the Germans. even better than
we realized that in a straight hght on
| that front. as things then were. there
was every possibility of a crushing Brit
ish victory. It was in the face of such
a possibility that Hindenburg drew up
| the great plan which the Germans have
been putting into force ever since.
The first stage in the operation OF
| this plan was his great strategic retreat
across a wide belt of country to the ex'
| ceptionally strong defensive positions IT
this rear. This retreat. 1t NAV now DC
admitted, completely upset the Alice
| plans for general offensive, which nae
| been maturing for many months.
Il was Impossible for the Allies or
| their new front. with such n broad bell
| Of devastated country all around them
| and with no railway. roads, water sup
ply. timber. etc, to be in position tc
| take the offensive afresh without many
months of preparation.
Their Plan Far-reaching
But delaying the Allies was mer'
secondary. although the more tmmedi
| ately pressing. feature Of the plan. tn
Germans realized keenly that. heaVil!
involved as they were on the who'll
eastern 'front.' they must dispose of Rus
sia. and. if possible. Italy as well, be
fore they could think of seriously tack
ling the British and French on tn
west.
With the two eliminated, German
would be free to throw all her force
on the western front, first agains
France and then against the British. be
fore the Americans would have time t
come in.
Hindenburg's retreat two years ago
which puzzled many people and led I
so much controversy, had all these fac
tors fer a foundation. Up to fortnigh
ago this plan had been carried virtual
in its entirety. Russia had been ellmi
mated from the struggle, for the tim
being at any rate. The same thing ma
be said to a certain extent. as regard
Italy. for the great Austrian drive of
few months ago so shortened the battle
front between the Adriatic and the ALP