Evening star., 1918-08-19
Remains for Allies Actions Of
Week to Determine Issue
in Germans Retreat.
NO LONGER A QUESTION
OF CHECKING AN ADVANCE
Experts Today Regard Problem as
One Relating to Strength Of Al
lied Blows Against Enemy.

AS American military and foreign
war mission experts view the wal
areas at the outset Of the week, the
campaign In prospect presents as its
largest problem the question. how hard
can the allied offensive strike the re-
treating Germans. and to what extent
shatter the enemy's efforts to make a
stand between Rheims and Arras? II
is no longer a question Of checking
the German advance. commenced
March 81. but only one Of pushing
eastward as far as possible the con-
solidations which the enemy hopes to
make for its winter sojourn.
The Germans have rallied on what
was practically their old front of July
i, 1916. but; can they hold 1t? They
have staked their defense on the high
ground around Noyon and Lassigny.
and already there are signs of shak-
ing the Germans loose and pushing
them farther back.
Moreover. the Hun is having trou-
BILE north Of this region, in the ter
ritofy where he faces Gen. Haig and
his British. There the enemy is
volition in places and being pushed
back by Haig's artillery and hayo-
nets in other places.
Benefits Allied Cause.
So along the two sections of ac-
tivity the Germans are back-stepping.
and 1t remains for the actions of the
week to determine where they will
make a determined stand. This is all
course. Every mile farther away
from the channel ports and from Paris
means that much disappointment to
the original objectives of the German
high command and more safety to
the allies
The military experts say it is yet too
early to prophesy whether the Germans.
In the course of the present retreat. can
be forced back to the old Hindenburg
line, from which they started last March
mel. or whether he will be able to con-
solidate his defensive front on the
Somne's upper reaches. It will depend
upon Gen. Foch's campaign Of this week,
the scope Of which is not clear here, for
the reason that he has the choice of sew
eral important moves and 1t is not
known which he will take.
There is general expectation in
military circles here of further ac-
tivity on the Italian front before
long. Only hints of this are suggest
ed. for military reasons. but in well
pectancy of important news from
that section in the near future. Cable
reports also bring intimations of this
probability. and 1t is evident that the
Austrians have that vague feeling of
Something hanging over Them
This Is a general outline of the
situation on the western front at the
opening of what may be a fateful and
momentous week Of military activi-
ties.
Situation in Far East.
In the far east and in the Russian
Caucasus the situation IL being fol-
lowed with great interest and at pres
ent with some anxiety. The outlook
of apprehension. 1t Is a question
whether the American and Japanese
aid. now being rushed from Vladi-
vostok to the support of the Czecho-
Slovaks can reach them in time to
prevent their being overpowered by
numbers or before winter sets
in to stop effective maneuvers.
Cable reports from Siberia voice this
apprehension in greater degree than
is felt here. The fear is expressed in
these communications that the reliev-
ing force may be too small, resulting
in it's own possible annihilation as
we'll as falling to relieve the Czecho-
Slovaks. Some allowance. it is said.
must be made for the anxiety Of the
CZechn- C10va n nd fha{p rofnroI ~
sire to have the largest possible num-
ber of troops sent to their relief.
The public is not apprised Of the
numbers Of the relieving allied forces,
but In the absence Of Official elucida-
tfons 1t is suggested that it be taken
for granted that the commanders on
the scene Of action will not sacrifice
their men by projecting too small an
expedition. and that they are fully
apprised Of all the exigences of the
stood by this time that the military
operations in eastern Siberia and in
central and Caucasus Russia have a
definite bearing upon the general mill
tary situation on the western front,
and that the rehabilitation Of the Rus.
SLAMS through the Czecho-Slovaks is
part Of the great war program OF the
allies, 50 that no half steps win be
taken.
To Put Turkey Out Of Fight.
In this connection the movements
around Ba6u and in the Russian cau-
casus are being followed with in
terest. The taking of Baku by thu
British is explained to be part Of the
campaign to relieve the Russian and
Armenian forces which. since March
I, have been fighting Turkish and
Tartar troops. The ultimate object of
the campaign in this section is to
put Turkey out Of the fight and de-
prive Germany of her assistance. II
is part and parcel Of the campaigns
in Palestine and Mesopotamia.
The capture of Baku may result
It is explained. in later consolidating
in southern Russia the antf-German
Russians. the Don Cossacks. and Ar
population of about $500, 900
and a Gregorian population Of 2.ooo.-
600. To equip and mobilize into mill
tary effectiveness units from those
would require first the
securing of the Black Sea route which
would follow Turkeys falling out Of
column Of Germany's allies, which is
a question for the future.
The immediate effect of the suc-
cesses at Baku, however, is declared
to be Of tangible value in the general
plan.
The week is expected also to bring
important developments in northern
and central Russia, from Archanrel
to Moscow. with possible further ala.
integration OF the bolshevist govern
ment and consequent lesseninr Of
Germany's chances Of Organising 8
friendly power on her eastern front,
FIVE SONS NOW OVERSEAS