The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-01
MAY END OFFENSIVE
Onward Advance OF
General Won Hutiers
Army Marks Close.
ALLIES ARE STEADY,
Days Fighting Gives No
Sign That There Is
Confusion In the
Ranks Of Foch.
ALLIES ARE STEADY

Washington. May 3i.--The con-
timed advance OF picked troops
of General Won Hutier'@ army to-
ward the Marine can safely be AS
sumed TO mark the close OF the
German offt nsfve.
II is always possible that fall
IRE of hinges of the salient To
hold fast may permit widen
ing of the German base of opera
tons. which naturally would per-
init greater advance, In
wedge formed asa ult. Is equal To
the perpendicular Of an equal
sided triangle whose base II de-
ternlned by the width OF the
frontal assault. A greater advance
ts possible only when a shoulder
or wing Of a salient fails to with
stand the artillery pressure al
ways modified against It,
Today's fiahting gives no sign
that there IL confusion I'm the
ranks of the allies. Interest In
the German drive Ia slacken-
>. ed slso by several Significant
though brief notes from the
Italian front. Although much
has been said concerning the
trrope taking from the Russian
front to reinforce the forces under
the crown prince, there II Ut
tie doubt that the Italian front
commanders have bccn called up
on tn send some Of their best
divisions,
The fact that several prominent
Americans have recently bean SEM
most haste 70 Rome to aid the Asnsrs'
car committee on public Informs
rfon in refutiug a new and vicious
Austrian propaganda directed against
the morale Of the Italian army. ~ouio
indicate that the German l.Sders Fe
cognixed that they must put fortn
svAry effort to discourage the ftahan
leaders from recon- mending an Omen
wsvs at this time For all that. many
prominent italian ofFictals incline tc
the belief that the order 10 advance
should lie given by General Foch &c
the italian troops.
In many circles, the hehet mas
grown that no Italian offensive can ne
undertaken until American re~sniotce
n,snts have been placed on the Italian
front. This would not appear neces'
xarv. even though we give full credit
to the dash and energy Of the Amen
can soldier who should prove an adep'
nj mountain fighting. The plain truth
In that heavy guns. ard many OF them
are necessary in any drive undertaken
nr.ins, the positions the Italians must
reduce and capture. There is reason
10 believe that the Italians now have
xu~h ordnance in the quantity neea'
ed.
strength of Enemy.
The strength of the Austrisns and
G~rmar troops facing the italiar
forces is question which the allies
would give much to know From
facts at hand il would appear that a
pur,ber of divisions have been sea'
into France. Cpou this assumption II
based the estimate that the army o'
General Won Hutier, which opened ths
drive between SCISSORS and Rheims
ras made up Of about thrty~6ve divi'
sions. or approximately 4so,h6o men
Ifnaoubtediy this force is supported
nv a major portion OF General vor
Marwitz's forces, which are estimated
At ass 900.
In view of the steady and sustain t
nasistance to the German extensive
,h.Ye is no excuse for pesslnism a.
this time and Ii is natural that our IN
tersst should center In the reports
,rors the fronts held by our forces.
The point raised by some military
nsn that the brigading of American
troops with British ard French regu'
fstors would destroy the snap ant
trsh-efL -newcomerA- ia not sun,
ncrted by the news whiet, il being re
rAived here. On the contrary, thu
AMERICANS appear to be the cause fol
y.r.wed confidence and spirit amona
their brothers in arms
Americans Aggressive.
r. "a interesting to note in this con
lection that almost nightly the Ameri
rans are carrying out successful raids
- the sectors they hold. This woult
tnaicate that they have adopted th'
,.rties so successfully carried out h,
~. Canadians. The continued ratdina
~ enemy trenches is a powerful means
=, warfare II gives to the raiders
ia their supports every advantage
- offensive holds in mobile warfare
- result Of such tactics, the Amer
,cans within a short time Will own
no mans land.
nv owning no mans land they are
,Ir,ually in control and have discour'
.red their enemies from attempting
srv counter raids. 1t takes time Il
hri,v about this conditions hut once
established II Is Of inestimable value
IN. American lines will feel secure
wh,Ie they will have their opponents
,.,urnr!ng'' and nervous with shaker
confidence not only In their power t.
e.,ack, but In their ability to meet at
.eck