With the launching of a great German offensive upon a fifty-mile front, active fighting in the West has again become a grim reality. The Central Powers, victorious at every other point, seem now to match their strength with the enemy in the hope of striking a decisive blow toward a favorable termination of the war. Yet the general military situation makes it very possible that the present movement is but a feint in the concealment of another motive.

The complete collapse of Russia and Rumania and the consequent opening of the East point to the advisability of German activity in this direction. Having once opened the path to conquest, it is only logical that full advantage be taken of the opportunity. It is scarcely conceivable that Germany will be guided by any scruples concerning the rights of the small Slavic peoples. On the contrary, the traditional imperial policy indicates the desirability and need of striking while the iron is hot, and devoting all energy to a complete success in the Eastern theatre of war. Moreover, from a military point of view, the softness of the ground and the great strength of the Allied lines portend little success for an offensive in Flanders.

Whatever the purposes of the present movement, whether it be the overaweing of European neutrals, or the strengthening of the German morale, or what not, we may rest our faith in the impregnability of our arms. If this is the heralded offensive, we welcome it as an opportunity to inflict great losses upon the enemy and to bring about a new alignment in the West which may well permit successes for us in the near future. If it is but a feint, we will continue to be watchful for the time when the German lines may feel the irresistible force of our advance.