7 APRIL 1917, Page 2

But though it is perfectly true to say that the

Germans have been forced to go back, we must not for a moment suppose that they are merely bluffing when they tell us in effect that they have voluntarily drawn back in order to strike the better. The proper way of putting the matter is to say that the Germans, having beenobliged to draw back, are going to make all the use they pos- sibly can of certain incidental advantages secured by the retirement. The effect of a retirement on new lines and the evacuation of some of Germany's enormous underground fortresses has been to straighten and so shorten the line. In all probability the new Hindenburg Line, and the approaches to it, may result in the saving of a couple of hundred thousand men.