American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-05-03
EXPECT LONG BATTLE.
Allies Will Lose Little ii Ypres Is
Captured, Opinion of War Depart
ment.

ment.
The battle for possession of the
ruins of Ypres is regarded by officials
at Washington conversant with re-
ports from American observers in
France as only an incident of the
German drive. They do not forsee,
II was learned. any extensive retire
ment of the British lines in this re-
gion, even if the enemy gains this
shattered village standing at the apex
of h salient in the allied lines in
Flanders.
Ypres is important because of the
high ground about it. But, if it is
lost, II is believed every inch of ground
behind it will be as bitterly contest
ed, by the British and French troops
as has each step forward the enemy
has made for the last ten days.
Even the whole Ypres salient, Of
ticers think, has no strategic value
Which justiies the assumption that
its loss might force a general retreat
over a wide front.
Should the rate of advance they
have made for the last two weeks be
maintained by the Germans, it is esti-
mated that il would take weeks for
them to reach positions which seri-
ously threatened the allied hold on the
channel ports. Meanwhile, the strain
OF continuous offensive operations will
Increase steadily upon the German
forces, while it decreases correspon-
dinghy on the allies with shortened
communication lines to maintain.
For this raQQnn MANI oA11-.-- -
lleve the present situation. with the
Germans steadily pounding and the
allies striking back wherever oppor-
tunity offers. may continue for some
time. Unofficial reports from France
have indicated three weeks as the
time that might elapse before the al
lies could regain the initiative. So
far as known, however, there is moth
ing of an official nature to indicate
what General Foch, supreme com-
mander, looks forward to in this re-
gard.
official announcement that Ameri-
can troops are In the trenches in the
Amiens region was welcomed by Of
hcials. IL has been known for some
time that a considerable force had
been assembled in that vicinity. but
the fact that the Americans were ac-
tually in line, facing the German
army at this point. where the final
battle is being staged. had not been
communicated.
The only statement as to the ground
occupied by the American forces. is
that it is east of Amiens. Since un-
official dispatches describe the sector
as not directly involved in the pres
ent lighting at Hangard and Villers-
~Bretonneux. however. 1t is assumed
that the newcomers have been placed
somewhere along the line to the
southeast of Hangard, toward Noyon.
II so. officers believe that these
American units may share in the Ill
innate triumph of the allied armies
directly, as 1t is from this flank of
the Picardy battlefield that it has
always been anticipated any great
counter movement would be launched.
The number of American troops
in this part Of the line and their
organization have not been revealed.
though the presence of American ar
ullery indicates tactical units of con-
siderable size. The force serves to re-
leve veteran French units for employ
ment by General Foch as a mobile re-
serve to back up hard-pressed sectors
OF the French or British fronts, or to
be held in readiness for counter blows.
The increased army program ne
cessitated by the German drive, il is
learned. probably will be laid before
congress by Secretary Baker within
the next few days. The whole ques-
ton Of available equipment. quarters
and transport tonnage has been re-
viewed recently in preparation for
submitting these figures.
There are some indications that
efforts will be made to add a million
men TO the army at the earliest pos
sible time. supplementing the mil
lion and a half already with the col
ors and the $1,000 previously sched-
uled to be modified this year. The
result would be the necessity of pro-
viding funds for a force of more than
5000. 900.
II a large increase in the number of
divisions now organized or in process
or organization is planned, il will be
necessary to cur an amendment to
the selectiye draft act removing the
present restriction OF the draft to two
units of 100000 men each. While the
act places no limit upon the raising