Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-12
bOCHE MUST FIGHT
HARD OR RUN FASTER
WASHINGTON Sees Greatest Battle
of War or Another stampede
for Near Future.

Washington, Sept l2.-Behind the
apparent lull in the battle IN France
events are swiftly shaping for operations
o crucial Importance. IN the opinion
of officials here, no are keeping In hour-to-
hour touch with developments. These
observers believe one week will sec either
the greatest battle of the war In progress
along the old IIindenburg line, or the
enemy again in full retreat toward the
Belgian frontier, refusing to meet Mar
shall Foch's forces.
Therr is the evidence that the Ger
man high command may plan fur
ther extensive. withdrawal IN order TO
shorten its defensive lines and ease the
strain upon Germany's waning man
power. There is little doubt that 1t was
lack of fighting effectiveness that forced
the enemy to abandon all he had gained
in his drive of this wear and narrow hls
front
GERMANS LOSE 100000 MEN.
Unofficial estimates from France say
the Germans have left behind them
during the withdrawal more than 300 900
prime fighting men. killed. badly wound
cd or prisoners. This is in addition TO
the heavy losses in the frontal attacks
hv which the enemy early in the summer
drove his way toward Paris and the
Channel ports.
With such losses as these draining the
ranks and with American troops pour
ing into France at the rate OF 200 uoU
a month it would not surprise otfcerS
here If the German leaders have been
compelIed to decide upon much shorter
front than the old IIindenburg line as
one which would offer any hope of stay
ing the Allies onward march
CANNOT TAKE DEFENsEs.
Halg's men have firm hold astrlde
the line between DOuM and Camhrai, ana
observers believe 1t will be little short
Of a miracle If the enemy out OF the con
fusion unavoidable IN his swift retreat
can organize a defense for Doudl. Cam
hraI. St. Quentin or La Fcre which can
resist successfully the full weight OF the
Allied arnues.
If these towns fall, the HIndcnurg
line goes with them, probably along the
whole length, II Is SAID Foot by loot
the French have forced their way around
the nothcrn side of La Fcre, while 70
the South French and American troops
have clunG 10 their hold on the heights
above Vauxvlllion against repeated coun-
ter-attacks Another mile Of advance
here and Just to the south will put Cen
cral Mang,n 5 men actually on the north
ern end OF the Chemin des Danes, the
ridge that guards Laon.
GERMANY SEEKING MEN.
Official dispatches received from Franco
TODAY SAID orders have been issued by
the German command 20 get wounded
men back INTO the ranks even before
complete cures have been etiected 70
employ At once German prisoners re-
leased bv the Russians even though
they had not fully recovered the1r!strength b
and health, and to turn cavalry INTO
infantry TO fill gaps IN the ranks.
Other orders, the dispatches sand. di-
rect that at certain intervals IN quct
sectors an Austro-Hungaran DIVISION
be placed between two German divisions
or that Austrian soldiers be distributed
IN German regiments IN a proportion oi
sixty 10 a company IN order to make
up the full strength Of about 250 mon
The adv1ces say the reduction Of the
hattahon strength 10 three companies
instead Of four, put INTO effect IN At least
EIGHT enemy divisions, was largely Tor
TIE purpose Of making good losses IN
company and noncommlSsIoncd officers.