The Daily News. FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1917. THE GERMAN RETREAT.
Tlie successful advance of the AngloFrench forces continues uninterruptedly, despite the bad weather, the Germans being pushed back with a rapidity that is almost incredible. That Germany's "invincible" armies should voluntarily retire from the four' defensive lilies .which, during two years of trench warfare, they elaborated with such care and skill as to be regarded as impregnable, is so improbable that the only reasonable conclusion belies even the bare supposition of a voluntary retreat, especially n« those four lines protected the flatter country beyond, and such important communications as the ArrasBapaume railway, tho Arras-Peronne j road, and the road which runs almost due east from Bapaume to Cambrai. Tlie Anglo-French forces are acting in concert on a definitely marked-out plan. They did not start the new offensive until they were thoroughly prepared to follow it up, and we have lately had practical demonstrations of their superiority over the enemy, who is being forced back day after day. We have already pointed out that the first stage of the Anglo-French objective was the capture of the Bapaume-Peronne line, which has been so successfully achieved. It seems only reasonable to conjecture that their next step has tor its object the seizure of the iron and coalfields of Northern France, and tlie acquisition of tlie line from Cambrai in the north to S". Quentin in the south. The new campaign opened at the beginning of January, when the process of harassing the enemy was developed with skill and persistency. In February the real pressure commenced, and from then onwards it has been yielding a succession of captures, Thiepval being finally reduced by (lank attacks, the positions north and
south of the Ancro being acquired and Miramnont gained. Then came the somewhat dramatic retreat of the enemy, the whole British lino from Gueudecourt to Gommc!c-ourt bein r ' in motion. One important result of this drive was the capture of Bapaume and the higher ground to the north, and the subsequent expansion of the British front to Roye, increasing the length of that front to about 150 miles. Still forward pressed the British, driving in the enemy flanks on both sides of the A.nerc to sucli an extent that, after thirty seven weeks of lighting, the British objective (Bapaume), which had been before them since the great attack on July 1, was achieved. Meanwhile the French have been equally active and successful in giving the enemy a full taste of defeat on the south-west of St. Quentin and Cambrai. These victorious offensives bave not only succeeded in redeeming a large number of villages, but have also liberated thousands of people from German domination, and secured hundreds of miles of territory, while the advance has placed the AngloFrench thirty miles ahead of the line that marked the German defence for nearly two and a-half years—and the drive still continues. The question that naturally arises is as to where the Germans will come to a. halt. One thing is certain, they cannot find a line as strong as the one they have left. It is quite possible they might for a very short period hold a line from Lille to Reims, by way of Cambrai, St. Quentin and Laon, but if, as is most probable, the seizure of the iron and coalfields oJ Northern France is the next objective jf the Anglo-French, then it is obvious the Germans must be driven on to the Belgian border. The latest British northcats of Bapaume-Poronne line menaces the enemy east of Arras. It would seem that tlie Germans ace now along the line of tlie Meuse on the Franco-Belgian frontier, and this may be the prelude to a retirement from the north of France and a considerable part of Belgium, but on this possibility it would be unwise to count. It is abundantly evident that the plight of the German armies in the West is causing perturbation In the Fatherland, while it is beyond all question that Austria recognises the hopelessness of the struggle. It is futile of the German authorities to put up Major Moraht to promulgate such trash as that whereby he intimates that the Anglo-French are being led into a trap in which they will bo easily and ruthlessly slaughtered. Such nonsense must fail even to give a glimmer of consolation to the German people,** -while it empnusises Teutonic desperation. The news in this morning's cables concerning a possible separate peace between Russia and Austria may not be reliable, but it indicates the growing alienation between Austria and Germany. If we look back it will be seen that Germany's hatred of Britain is based on the theory that Britain's object has been for many years to isolate Germany. If that is so, there are not wanting signs that the process of isolation is likely to eventuate. The news from America is also very significant, indicating that the United States is sliding into the arms of the Abies. Tlie whole war position is in a most sensational stage ' just now, and at any moment a dramatic development may startle the world.
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Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1917, Page 4
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853The Daily News. FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1917. THE GERMAN RETREAT. Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1917, Page 4
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