The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-05-27
Germans With Nearly 100000
Men to Renew Terrific
Drive.
WORLDS FATE
HANGS ON RESULT
Pershing's Soldiers in Thick OF
Fight-Naval Offensive
is Predicted.


LONDON, May 26.-The great battle I'D
Picardy and Flanders is about to be re-
newed.
II will be the greatest battle in the
worlds history. The fate OF civiliza-
tion depends upon it.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg mas
been feverishly reforming his divisions
and preparing to renew the offensNe-
IT Is now indicated that the first bloW
will probably be launched this week
Two months after the beginning OF the
first stage of the battle.
According to the estimates of the
French genraI staff, the Germans nave
massed 100000 men along the front
for the new drive.
The allies are not in the habit OF an
nouncing the number OF men IN tilen
armies, but it is an open secret that
they, too, have been reinforcing thelf
lines in preparation for the terrific Dat
tie.
The greater part OF their reinforce
ments are made up of American sol
diers, who have been pouring to the
front in a steady stream for TWO
months. Among them are many ma
tional army men. The battle viii be
the first test for the American troops.
They will take as important part In
it as the French and British.
There have been some 1ndlcatlons
that the German general staff Is pre-
pairing for a triple drive along tnese
lines.
IA great offensive against the
French and British on the west 'front.'
calculated to capture Ypres. Amiens
and Arras and drive the British TO the
sea.
"a naval offensive against the Brit
ish fleet in the North Sea-
"a terrific drive by the Austrians
against the Italians to capture venice.
since the war began 1t has been typ
icaI of German strategy to spring a sur
nrise on the foe at the opening OF
every offensive movement The 42-cen~
timeter seige-gun, the use Of liquid fire
and poison gas, the Zeppelin bombard-
ments, and the most recent, the 7o-mile
gun that shelled Paris when the sprlne
drive began are instances.
May Sacrifice 100000 Lives.
Some critics believe it will come 10
the form of a descent upon the Engiisn
coast by a German fleet greater than
ever before assembled. But the Brit
ish and American fleets are ready
eager. in fact, for such movement.
This would be merely a diversion, and
secondary 10 the great business whlch
lies before the German general staff
namely, the effort to destroy the allied
armies and force German-made peace
on the world.
Hindenburg has been quoted as say
ing that he will sacrifice million men
q fkae.V driy
first stage cost him 100000, so it is
safe to assume that he will not stop
this time until 100000 more have been
hurled into the inferno
But the German objective is not the
capture of more French or Belgian ter
rftory. despite all the talk about the
drive for the channel ports and fol-
Paris.
Its real aim Is to drive wedge into
the French and British lines which will
enable Won Hindenburg to cut one OF
the other armies off. surround it anc
destroy II.
IN the allies can be pocketed in the
southwestern corner of Belgium anC
the northwestern corner of France, thk
danger will become real menace.
General Foch, commander-in-chief q
the allied forces. therefore faces the
task OF saving his armies INTACT a.
whatever cost In territory. Even thougt
the allies be driven to the sea, there is
every reason for confidence in his abil-
ity to do it.
Centre at Two Points.
The German drive in the opinion oi
the majority of the military critics, viii
be centered at two points:
4. Between Ypres and Bethune. OF
the northern end of the line-the Elan
ders offensive. This is where the Apri
fighting drove wedge into the alliet
line and cost the British the towns o.
Armentieres and Bailleul. This portion
of the front is nearest the channe
ports Cf Dunkirk and Calais. The lin'
here is held mainly by the British. al
though some Fren1h, Belgian and Por
tuguese units are helping. The mair
purpose of an offensive at Ypres is no
the capture of that ruined city. but II
cut off the British from their mali
bases at Ameins and Arras.
,. Between Amiens and Montdidier
on the southern extremity OF the line
the Picardy offensive. Here the arm,
of General Pershing is entrenched
Montdidier Is likely to become as IA
nous in American history as Vallel
Forge or Gettysburg. Secretary Bake
has stated that America has half a mil
lion soldiers in France and of these