Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-05
Fo1EsEE GERMAN RETREAT.
American Army Officers Believe leu
tons Must Retire to New Lines.

tons Must Retire to New Lines.
Washington, Oct. 5.-American army
Officers have been watching with in
tense interest the situation on the
western front which apparently is
reaching climax in the great drive
launched yesterday by the British.
From the many reports indicating
the developing Of some important
movement, coupled with the continual
futile attacks Of the Germans along
the British front, some military OBJ
servers here have become convinced
that the Teutons were covering great
withdrawal of their line.
Other officers, however believe that
the German high command has been
hurting it's men at the enemy with the
desire to check an advance, determined
to hold its present lines at any cost un-
til winter comes to the rescue
Foresee German Retreat.
Officers who think the German activ-
ity has covered a withdrawal to short
en- and strengthen lines and ease the
strain on the army. expect that behind
the German divisions thru which Cen
eral Haig's men were cutting their way
today will be found new positions, fully
manned and strongly built. against
which the offensive will crash
Early reports from the front showed
the Germans to be surrendering by
hundreds This may mean deterioration
of morale to such an extent that the
rear guard will fail in its mission and
spell disaster to the newly chosen
positions.
Some observers are to be found here
spirit generally is badly shattered. In
support of this they cite the continual
peace cry in Germany; the expressions
Of prisoners captured by the allies: the
youth of prisoners, and the repeated
failures OF German attacks during the
last few weeks to make any .mpres-
sione on the Eri tisn and French flSnts.
See Allied Morale Higher.
In the view Of these developments Of
ficers believe a definite ascendency has
been established by the allies in the
morale OF their armies. They regard
that condition as forecasting complete
victory, altho none is willing to ven
ture a prediction as to when the Ger
man collapse may come.
There have been Indications that the
allied commanders have been intent
upon the destruction Of the morale OF
the German soldier as much as upon
forcing their way forward in recent
battles. The lavish expenditures of ar
tillery ammunition in which they have
engaged steadily for months may have
been designed largely to shake the
nerves of the men among whom the
shells were falling day and night.
The results Of today's drive, some Of
ficers believe, may prove clearly that
the demonstrated preponderance Of al
lied artillery has served not only tc
hearten the men Of the British and
French armies but has served to de-
press the Germans.
Predict Open Warfare.
There are many observers also who
believe that with ::::= Germans: forced
back out Of the more rugged country
the fighting may assume a more open
character next spring. Coupled with
this goes the suggestion that real
strategic operations may become pos
sible next year for the first time since
the armies dug in after the retreat
from the Marne.
Spring may see gigantic movements
set afoot to break the deadlock OF
trench warfare. Whether combined
land and sea assault on the exposed
flank of the German line might be in
cluded no officer would predict.