Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-10-05
Some Experts Believe Con-
tinuous Artillery Pounding
Has Shattered Morale Of
German Force in Belgium,
OTHERS SEE RETREAT
TO STRONG POSITIONS
Many Assert That Hindenburg
Is Already Falling Back and
That Action Is Screening.
Movement.

washington OCt' f'-AHlSiiSah
army officers have been watching
with intense interest the situation on
the western front, which apparently
is reaching climax in the great drive
launched today 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 a great
withdrawal of their line. Other Off
GERS, however, believe that the Ger
man high command has been hurting
its men at the enemy with the desire
to check an ad trance, determined to
hold its present lines at any cost until
winter comes to the rescue.
Opinions Differ.
Officers who think the German ac-
ttvity has covered a withdrawal to
shorten and strengthen lines and ease
the strain on the army, expect that
behind the German divisions through
which General Haig's men were cut
ting 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 tie surrender
ing by hundreds. This may mean de-
terioration of morale to such an ex-
tent that the rear guard will fail in
it's mission and spell disaster to the
newly chosen positions.
Some observers here believe the
German army spirit generally is bad
ly shattered. In support of this they
cite the continual peace cry in Ger
many; 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 impressions on
the British and French fronts.
In view of these developments, Of
ficers believe a definite ascendancy
has been established by the allies in
the morale of their armies. They re-
gard that condition as forecastine
complete victory, although none are
willing TO venture a prediction as tc
when the German collapse may come
There have been indications that
the allied commanders have been in
| tent on the destruction of the morale
of the German soldier as much as or
forcing their way in recent battles
The lavish expenditure of artillery
ammunition in which they have en-
gagged steadily for months may have
been designed largely to shake thu
nerves of the men among whom thu
shells were falling day and night.
Artillery Too Much for Them.
| The results Of today's drive, SOM
officers believe, may prove clearl,
that the demonstrated preponderanc,
lof allied artillery, shown repeated.
to the men of both armies, has serve'
mot only to hearten the men of tn
British and French armies and insti
Into them confidence in the final out
come of the war but has equal,
lserved to depress and make doubtful
the rank and file of the Germans.
There are many observers, also
who believe that with the German
forced back out of the more rugge
country, the fighting may assume
lmore open character next spring. L
the wide level lands into which tn
battle lines are being carried, there
nc strong natural position. Sandbag
must replace ridges and concrete an
lsteel the hills that have made posi-
Bile the small forts which have hel
up many charge heretofore.
Coupled with this goes the sugges
ton that real strategic operations ma
become possible next year for the firs
time since the armies dug in after tn
|retreat from the Marne. Whether
com bined land and sea assault on tn
lexposed flank of the German lin
might included, no officer would pre-
dict.