THE THIRD PHASE

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16216, 20 May 1918, Page 7

THE THIRD PHASE

LONDON, May 17. General Maurice, in the "Daily Chronicle," says:— . "Indications are steadily increasing that the third phaso of the campaign is about to open. Two-thirds of the Germans are now between Ypres and the Oise. It is a weakness of the Br tush communications that they run parallel to the front instead of at regular intervals straight from th© front to tno base, as in the German positions. A successful German attack on any part of the line threatens the communications of the whole British front. It is thus difficult to give ground voluntarily in order to establish a better front. Hindenburg, early in 1917, fell back 30' miles without uncovering his vital communications. We can nowise givo one-third of that distancd on the Amiens front without grave inconvenience. This is what Sir Douglas Hiug meant when he said 'We are fighting with our backs to the wall.' Although the position is cramped, we are in a better situation to meet the attack than on March 21st. We have unified the command. While our losses were heavy, there is the clearest evidence that the enemy's losses were heavier. American j troops have been steadily pouring in, and there has been time to readjust tho positions of tlio Allied forces on the whole front. We may be sure that General Foch now has his reserves where he wants them. The cream of the German specially-trained men have gone. When the enemy attacks he will probably gain precious ground, but, provided we send every man who can be spared to Franco, there is no reason why. we should not check the new blow, as we defeated the last."