The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-20
GERMANY WILL
KEEP FIGHTING
FOR A DECISION
Ii Beaten in Present Drive,
Others Will Follow.
Fresh Troops Are Arriving
Steadily From Russian Front.
A FIGHT TO The FINISH NOW
Enemy Striving for Victory Be-
fore America Gets In.
Nearly a Million Reserves Still
Held by Germany.
Fresh Troops Are Arriving
Steadily From Russian Front.
A FIGHT TO The FINISH NOW
Enemy Striving for Victory Be-
fore America Gets In.
BY HENRY WOOD.

With the French Armies in the
Field. April 2O.-The Germans are
steadily transferring fresh divisions
from Russia TO the French front. fill
ing up the gaps in their ranks caused
by their heavy losses.
The French staff has Identified a
division which was in the Ukraine in
February: one which was in Sarre-
boUrg early in April; one which was
at the Russian front March 6; one
which was in the Colmar region April
8; one of Uplans which was in 70
drow April l one which was in Sarre
bourg April Z, and one which departed
from Foscani March 7. arrived at Metz
March Is, at Hirson April 1 and is
now in the line in the region of Han
-en-Santerre.
Still Great Boche Reserve.
Washington, April 19.-Germany
still has approximately seventy divi-
sions (S40,OO0 mem which constitute
d fresh and comparatively unused re-
serve force on the western front, Brit
lsh military officials estimated today.
These account for the continual use
of Fresh German troops in the fight
ing, it is said.
That Germany cannot be using-at
least to any great eXtent-men who
have been released from Russian
prison camps since the Boil
sheVik peace pact is the conviction
mere. 4 HIy MOuIQ make poor IlSnIerS
after long confinement and poor
food, Il is claimed.
Few German Prisoners in Russia.
According to recens diplomatic ad-
vices there are now comparatively
few German prisoners in Russia,
there ere a million and a half Aus
trains but of these, it is said, fully a
third are Czechs and Slovenes whose
sympathies are with the allies.
In 10 n
troops awaiting call to the great Elan
ders battlefield, British officials here
state that the Germans had about
200 divisions a the start, of which
they have used to date more than 12o
divisions.
mother Drive in June?
An Alta ntic Port, April 20.-Ger-
many WI iaunc-. another offensive in
June-either on the west front OF in
Italy-if the present drive is checked,
according to Lieutenant General
Bridges of the British army, who ar
rived mere today.
The allies are up against an acute
crisis, and altho we may check the
German offensive now, "a series of
crises will continue all thru the COM
ing year" General Bridges declared
We must not expect anything final
from the present offensive. If the
German is halted he will dig himself
in preparatory to another drive. II
may come IN the west, or II may De
in the east-against Italy.
THE war has now resolved itself
into a question of man-power. The
Germans are striving for a decision
before we can draw our trump card
the American army-and are ready to
make any sacrifices.
British Retreat at an End.
circumstances have compelled the
Teutons to make the present drive
They have backed the British army "
a point where there can no longer be
retreat. With its back against the
wall, you can look for Haig's army tc
fight it QUITO the finish.
THE REIMBURSEMENT of Amiens and
more of the British line would create
very awkward situation. The Eng
Iish channel would be menaced. We
can't go back now"
The surrender of Passchendae le
ridge is not regarded as particularly
important by General Bridges
''Passchendaele ri0ge was a gift tc
US by the Germans. and created q
dangerous salient in our lines" he de
clared. Bad weather prevented the
British general staff realizing the
fruits of its occupancy last year"
Man Power Is AlI-Important
General Bridges warned American:
against expecting anything final OIL
decisive from the present offensive
regardless of whether the Germans OF
allies win.
The war has reached a stage where
man power is all-important. At the
present the Germans have the upper
hand in the west. Americas army car
turn the scale, and not until American
man power makes itself felt will the
Germans be beaten. And, while Ger
many has greatly reinforced her west
ern lines she still has an enormous re
serve to draw upon.