THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 161, 27 March 1918, Page 8

THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE

AND THE SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE. Sir, —At last . the long-heralded, much-talkcd-of Gorman offensive has come. Owing to the , effectiveness of their long-range artillery they have apparently gained great initial advantages greater apparently than the Allies over gamed-in any of their offensives, with the exception of course of the illfated Cambrai affair. In fact, reports at first seemed to indicate that the British lino had been broken near St. Queutin. Supposing this had been correct, the Allies could stiil fall back to the lino where the Germans were held in 1914-15. ' Perhaps the Germans might follow up ana try and force this lino in the hope of reaching tho sea at Abbeville, and thus severing connection botweeu the English »nd French Armies. If tho British fall back to the line held during 1915 the French flank on the Aisne might be left open, and tho Germans mignt elect to try thoir old strategy—tho enveloping movement. If they could succeed here, they might get between the Paris and the main French armies. But no doubt the Allies aro aware of this, and the German plan of action will be influenced by the position of the Allies' reserves.

Perhaps if we look back upon the events of the last three and a half years wo may hud some reassuring facts, At the outset wo saw two million Germans press back olio and a quarter million Frenchmen, and one hundred thousand Britons, and yet fail to gain anything decisivo; in fact, they were soverely checked at the Marne. We have seen the Austrc-Germans with an overwhelming superiority in guns, and munitions drive back the Russians for three months, and yet fail to annihilate them. We have seen the Aus-tro-Gcrmans drive the Italians in almost a rout from the mountains, yet the invaders were checked on the Piave. The experience of present-day warfare would seem to suggest that modern armies can be driven back with great losses in men and guns, but so long as the people behind the armies maintain a strong, united, and determined spirit the army cannot be destroyed. When that spirit goes tb.6 army will crumble and fall to pieces like the Russian Army did. The great leaders of both sides have lost no opportunities of impressing this upon the masses. Sir William Robortson told the representative of the "iNew York Times,"'at the conclusion of the third year of war, that this war had changed from a war of armies to a war of nations, and that the spirit and courage of the people behind the armies would be the decisive factor. Hindenburg, also, said that it' was tho nation that had the most determination that was going to win. If the Germans when they had a four-to-three superiority could not destroy the Franco-British Armies at tho outset, can they hope to do so now with an eleven-to-ten superiority? No, I do not think so. But what the enemy is reckoning on is the "enemy within the gates," the pacifist, tho Socialist, and the man that believes that all is lost. Perhaps after gaining a few advantages the enemy will follow up his advantage with an offer of seemingly good terms. Perhaps he will oiler to retire from France and Belgium, and even give up his colonies. lie hopes that the pacifists, etc., will demand that his terms will be accepted, so that he can consolidate his Eastern gains. But if Britain, France, America, Italy, and the Empire refuse to become downhearted, refuse to succumb to any temptations of a premature peace, bear losses with calmness and courage and determination to hold the fort until the Americans arrive—and they will be there in two months—the enemy's schemes are bound to fail. Therefore, it is the duty of every true citizen ol the Empire to trust our leaders, keep a bright face, bear losses calmly and with fortitude, and always remember that we havs always held the Germans in the past, and we will do so now.—l am ' 6to " BYSTANDER'.