New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-18
Allies and TeutonS Feel
ing Way for Beginning
of Great Offensive
BRITISH CANNON
ROAR INCREASINGLY
New Groups of Divisions
Show Immense Troop
Movements in Germany
ny IN. A,,o-ist1d Pr, I

British HEADQUARTERS in France, Feb.
1.-THE cold, which has held the West
front frostbound for nearly month, is
moderating and ali along the battle
line there is a quiekening which tells
Of the approach OF spring and fore
shadows the coming to grips Of the
greatest armies yet assembled.
Already they are reaching out tow
ard each other, testing various parts
of the lines and attempting to discover
the most likely point of contact for
the beginning Of the titanic struggle
that is expected to make this the de-
cisive year OF the conflict. In antici-
patton Of eventualities the Germans
have removed the civilian populations
from behind their line, but the Allies
have not.
Never silent, the British guns are
beginning TO roar more and more stead
lily. Tonight they are booming with
particular violence OF the Somme. From
distance the bombardment might
easily be mistaken for the grumbling
echoes Of passing summer storm.
Old Divisions Rearranged
New divisions have been recently
identified along the German lines, bear
ing out reports of great troop move
ments in Germany. British officers,
however, say that this concentration is
hot as formidable as it appears at first
sight. They say that many Of the So
called new divisions of their opponents
are merely d Encouragement Of old ones.
In q raid this week an apparently
new Bavarian division was located. It
was afterward discovered that this
corps had been made up from regiments
taken from older divisions. Another
man9uvre carried out by the Germans
has been combing out of regiments
and divisions by which groups OF
twenty-five Of the youngest men we're
taken from each company in the line
and sent back 10 Germany 10 form new
units or corps d'elite. British officers
believe that 1t is on these that Won
Hndenburg is placing his reliance.
The gaps in the companies have not
been filled, and the diminutlon in num-
bers has been covered in some in
stances by reducing infantry regt-
ments from four battalions to three.
One infantry company was recently en-
countered with rife strength Of Y
out Of a regulation complement Of 10.
Landsturm regiments have been iden-
titled on the front line They had for
merly been employed in pstrolling the
Dutch frontier and protecting lines OF
communication. According to prison.
ers, the picked men OF the landsturm-
ers are in the trenches, while those who
are united for the hardships Of the
firing line are on duty at the depots
in the rear. Utilizing the lsndsturm
battalions in this way permits the or
canization of the young men divisions
i'm Germany, ind IL is these latter, Brit
ish officers say, whose movements are
now reported and who are depended
upon TO Withstand the shock OF the
coming battle. Many boys of seven.
teen and eighteen have also been found
in the German trenches by the British
raiders.
Falling Back TO Main Defenees
The evacuation of Grandcourt BY the
Germans and other minor successes
won by the British in their initial oper-
ations are interpreted as meaning that
the Germans are prepared 20 give way
at some points ia order TO fall back
upon carefully prepared main lines OF
defence. lines that have not been ham
mered by bombs and shells after the
manner of so many Of the present front
trenches.
Artillery is looked upon as the de,
Gliding factor in the coming battle and
upon artillery the British have been
concentrating their energy. The con;
slant laundering of the British guns a. J.
through the long dark winter has mad
a deeper meaning than a casual scat
tering Of death and destruction. IL
bac meant the careful training OF OIL.
GERS and men in all the modern arts OF
ounnery. from the delicate timing and
placing OF protective curtains OF hre'
inst in front of advancing infantry, TO
The most skilful cooperation OF arr
planes ard guns in the hurting OF long
distance shells against selected targets
Car behind the German lines.
There is a grim realization OF the
fact that il will be tedious work trying
N Mast the Germans out Of their main
lines 81 defence. but British and French
co,nranders alike are confident IN
their predictions that they Will event
uallv force the fighting into the open