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Show oo NEW LIGHT ON THE BATTLE OF PICARDY. When the announcement was made that the British, in the battle of Plcaxdy, had retired in accordance with plans of the battle prepared in advance. The Standard held to the opinion that the statement was put out simply to Justify the retreat. We said that if the allies had a preponderance prepond-erance of men and artillery, as claimed, they were not makinc a good military move unless they developed a counter offensive at the moment of Germany's spent force in the drive. On Monday, the writer, in conversation conver-sation with a well-informed man who was in Washington before Hlnden-burgs Hlnden-burgs offensive started, said he saw maps In the hands of military men, on which were marked the defensive positions posi-tions to which the British were to retire re-tire when Hindenburg attacked, and an officer, in explaining the maneuver, maneu-ver, stated he hoped the Germans would attempt the drive, as the allies were prepared to inflict unheard of punishment. "Why did the British plan to step back and not forward?" we inquired. "Because the allies were outnumbered outnum-bered on the western front and were avoiding the possibility of being over whelmed. They were to fall back, but none of the officers expected a blow so heavy, and, therefore, the retirement retire-ment went far beyond the points set as the limits of the offensive" This is the first explanation of what has occurred in Plcardy that lifts tho veil obscurine the whole movement. General Maurice of the British information in-formation bureau has been concealing the truth. When Russia gave way. The Standard Stand-ard said dark days were ahead for the soldiers on the west front. Soon after General Maurice came out with bis review, assuring the allied countries coun-tries there need be no fear as to the lines In France and Belgium, as in guns and men the allies had a pre ponderance. This was camouflage. Intended In-tended to deceive the enemy Having inferior numbers, the only thing the allies can do is to employ Fabian tactics of punishing the enemy to the utmost before yielding trround Great Britain has been holding 120 miles on the western front Where are her five million soldiers? Have a million or more been held In Encland, and are they the troops Lloyd George telegraphed General Halg were on the way to strengthen the heroic defenders defend-ers of Amiens' Halg, with 27 divisions, met the full pressure of Hlndenburg's ST divisions. Had the British general one-half of the men thrown Into the battle by the kaiser, he could have held his front lines and perhaps have defeated the Teutons. As it was. the troops of England, Scotland. Ireland. Wales and Canada won imperishable glory, many of the regiments facing oncoming waves of Germans which outnumbered them eight to one. It is a source of deep reeret that men of such fortitude and bravery should go down to unmarked graves In order to check the ambitions of a I megalomaniac who thinks God placed I him on earth to outrival the deeds of Alexander the Great i rn |
