The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-05-02
LARGER DRAFTS
TO MEET DRAIN
Allied Losses in Battle to Be
Made Good With Fresh LevieS
of Americans, Depart
ment Hints.
WILL KEEP GAPS FILLED
Manpower Must Be Kept Up to
Present Strength to Insure
Hun Failure to Break
Through.
WILL KEEP GAPS FILLED
BY CARL D. GROAT.
'nited Press Staff CORRESPONDENT.


Washington, d. c., April 3o.--"Yery
large quotas" Of American men will
be required "in the immediate future
for service overseas 70 fill up the gaps
inflicted in the west front drive. the
war department weekly summary de-
clared today.
1.-THE outcome Of the present opera
tons in the west depends on man
power" said the statement. adding,
ours is the imperative duty of pro-
yidlng replacement units for the armies
in France. We must be able to put
fresh men in the field thoroughly and
~rnethodically trained. In addition to
those already called to the colors and
now training at our cantonments or
already selected for service. very large
quotas will be required in tho inms-
date future to fill the gaps"
Means Large Drafts.
This warning apparently vas In
tended to prepare the nation for calls
even larger than those listed for ths
coming month or two.
Admitting the gravity Of The situa-
ton, the statement declared the fight
ing up to the present has been "ln large
measure favorable tC the enemy" but
pointed out that with joint allied COM
mand the boche has failed in his pur-
pose Of W%recking the British army.
The summary announced for the first
time, as far as the department Is con-
cerned, that. American troops are To-
Gated east of Amiens, have had a part
in the struggle which kept the German
off Amiens the past week, n have
acquitted themselves we'll"
The are relying principally
on rifles, machine guns man power
and carefully thought out methods OF
transporting n supplying munitions
RI 1hn fi,nJt nf nttnnl t.n1nr oil 1as
ditions," said the statement. This
means that they have developed mo-
bility OF offensive action hat can only
be met by counter measures OF equal
potency and feXibiiity.
"A battle of such magnitude as the
one being fought in tho west cannot
be decided By any single engagement.
Failed in Main Purpose.
"The vigorous attacks driven against
the British lines We're intended to par
hlyze the Independent will power of the
British command. In this the enemy
mas failed. Unity Of command OF the al
lies has extended operations to the
broader field Of general engagements
in which ell the allied forces will
Ecnceforth be used Interchangeable.
This change in the combat situa-
ton has materially altered the moment
Of decision OF the offensive, Instead
Of tho enemy being able to defeat the
DTltiSI army anu llSll turn lis lutt
energy against the French, the allies
IRE now able TO oppose their full
strength 70 the hostile attack.
1T must constantly be borne in mind
that the enemy is seeking a decision
that will emo the war. This decision
can only be arrived at hy the destruc-
ton OF the allied forces in the field be-
fore fresh units contributed from ad-
ditional levies In France and Great
Britain, as well as by u owr troops.
can take up their position in sufficient
numbers to turn the German sue
cesses to defeat"
Then follows the warning that Amer
lea must be ready TO supply many men
for the struggle.
Reviewing the military operations
OF the week, the statement pointed out
that the southern end Of the front had
been well held but that the Flanders
region was less satisfactory" Mill
tary men see the dangerous possibility
that the British will be forced to yield
the vitality important Ypres and there
is even some fear that the Teuton viii
reach the channel ports.