The Washington times., 1915-06-06
Kaiser Said to Be Planning
Quick Smash in Flanders
That viii Drive British
Forces Off Their Feet.
Prusslans Fail to Halt French
Advance on Lens-lnvaders
Hold on Present Lines De-
T pends on Battle Of Arras.

LONDON, June 6.-Half a mil
Hon fresh German troops have
passed through Berlin in the last
fortnight, bound for the western
battle front, their exact destination
being a closely guarded secret.
This information reaches here
from reliable sources In Copen-
hagen. II confirms the belief ex-
pressed in military circles that the
Austro- German thrust in Galicia,
the sudden drive against the British
at Ypres, and the operations Of a
swarm of German submarines each
formed part of the Kaiser's plan
for a great offensive movement on
all fronts.
The belief prevails here that the
new German levies were destined
for the Flanders battle front. The
departure Of the troop trains from
the German capital began too late
to send re-enforcements to Mack
ensen at Przemysl.
QUICK SMASH PLANNED.
The new German offensive against
Ypres was launched two days ago.
Sufficient time had elapsed to permit
and their, distribution along the Flan-
ders flyhting line.,-,r ,f
English aviators have reported to
headquarters signs of great activity
along the Menin road. east of Ypres.
The Germans are concentrating arm
ored automobiles at several points in
the region of Hooge. strengthening
the report that the Kaiser plans a
quick smash that will sweep General
French off his, feet.
Desultory sktrmishing has occurred
in the past twenty-four hours on the
where the Germans obtained a hold in
Thursdays fighting. German gunners
continue their Intermittent lombard
ment of what remains of Ypres, but
the general assault on the city, ex-
pected within few days, has not yet
begun.
ENCOURAGING for the allies. Despite
assaults, the Germans have been un-
able to halt he French swing toward
Lens. Berlin has officially admitted the
capture of the Souchez sugar mill by
the French.
Arra's Battle On Narrow Line.
The battle of Arras, which Is still
raging. Is regarded here as Of equal
Importance to any engagement yet
fought in the western theater
For three weeks this battle has been
in progress on a narrow line of less than
twelve miles. and 1t will decide whether
the Germans can hold their present
front from the Belgian frontier to the
Argonne.
A piercing of the German line north OF
Arras, military observers believe. in
evitably would lead to a readtustment OF
the whole battle line. 1t would necessi-
tate the abandonment of the front Lille
Roye, and this in turn would react on
the line of the Aisne, forcing a retire
ment from SolSSon6, Berry-au-Bac and
Souain and all the intervening territory.
The battle of Arras Is as much as any
action of the war, distinctly an allied
battle. Equally important are the parts
played by the British and the French.
The former hold the line from Ypres to
q point a little distance to the north of
Notre Dame de Consolation, where they
link with the French armies extending
to the south. OF the British line, that
reaching from Neuve Chapelle to the
Consolation Hills has immediate bearing
on the current battle.
Terrain Aids Germans.
Lying to the east of this allied front
that runs south to Arras are La Bassee
and Lens-the former the most formid.
able German stronghold in the region
between the Oise and lille, and the
latter the center of all the railroads
supporting the German positions from
Lille to scissors. The British have
fought their way to point less than
two miles from Bassee. The French
are within three miles OF Lens.
In the defense Of their positions or
this front the Germans have the ad
vantage Of the terrain and a system oi
fortified works they have energetically