Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-04-04
MILITARY MEN ARE
PLAINLY PUZZLED
Washington War Observers
Wonder Why Allies Counter
Stroke Is Delayed
NO NEWS FROM ABROAD
America May Throw It's Full Resources
to be Speedily Mobilizcd

Washington, April 3.-with the bat
tie of Picardy brought to a standstill
for the time being, at least, and the
initial momentum of the German
drive overcome, military observers
here were plainly puzzled tonight By
the fact that great counter assault
had not developed. The psychological
moment of the counter stroke under
the rules of strategy, they think. is
passing IL 1t has not already passed.
without a recorded movement of the
allied forces toward throwing back
the exhausted foe before he has had
time to dig himself in.
Officers here admit frankly, how
ever that they do not know what the
situation at the front is. If any re-
port has come from Generals Bliss or
Pershing that would serve to explain
the defensive tactics of the allies, it
Is a carefully guarded secret. Natural
ly nothing would be made public re-
Farding such advices, even without
Secretary Bakers order of yesterday,
shutting down absolutely on war de-
partment announcements regarding
operations in France. That order has
served, however, to make officers even
more cautious about discussing the
situation informally.
1t is possible, it was suggested that
the plan of campaign mapped out by
General Foch is of far greater scope than
would be involved in an effort to hurl
the enemy back to his old lines. The Ger
man defenses there, which successfully
stemmed the British assault in 1916. are
still intact and even If the allies were
successful in rushing the German lines
ho ctr he ha a q
wrested from them, they would face those
defenses when their own organization
was badly demoraized by their advance
and their men showing the wear and tear
of a prolonged offensive.
For this reason some officers were in
clfned to look elsewhere for the aggres-
sive campaign to which they are pinning
their faith They have counted upon
the creation of unified army under
General Foch to produce offensive opera
tions and they see nothing in the situa-
tion at the present time to warrant the
conclusion that the allies have not the
necessary reserve forces or supplies.
1t was suggested that the new purpose
Of employing American troops to fill out
allied fighting divisions might have some
bearing upon the situation. If General
FOch is laying his foundations for con-
tinuous operations of an aggressive char
acter, he would need to be certain of
his reserves and the detailed plans for
employment of American troops would
have to be worked out
TO SPEED TROOP MOVEMENTS.
Speeding up of American troop move
ments to France is engrossing attention
here. President Wilson held his weekly
conference with the heads of the war
making and production branches of the
government to-day and it is understood
that ways and means for throwing the
full resources of the United States into
the conflict this year were talked over.
One immediate step to that end is known
to be In contemplation. 1t has to do with
the calling to the colors of the 500, ,oOC
men which it already has been announced
will be mobilized through the selective
service machinery during the year Assur-
ances have been given that no great
Withdrawals of men from agricultural
and industrial life would be made at one
time. but the indications are that a set
tlement now being prepared regarding
the number Of men to be called out first
under that plan will show that "A larger
force will be mobilzed this month than
had been intended before the German
drive altered conditions abroad
The means of housing and training the
the movements to Franve have been al
ready greatly accelerated 1t was learned
authoritatively that with additiona
British troop ships available, the wal
department now has in sight transporta
tion and supplies for all the men it plans
10 SEND under its constantly quickenins
program.
MORE MEN FOR PERSHING SOON.
From now on, the proportion of fighting
troops IN General Pershing's army will in
crease rapidly. Heretofore. the extensiy,
scale on which preparations were beinf
made In France has demanded the sendin,
ahead OF special units and technical troop
at rate out Of all proportion to the fight
Ing units which were also moving. Prob
ably nearly so per cent. of the force il
france up to short time ago were troop
or this character. Figures reaching her
as to allied losses in the bitter days ius
closed In Picardy indicate that British an,
French casualties have been unexpectedl
light In view of the scope of the action
One estimate heard. although it's accurac
Is open to doubt, fixes the total, includin
prisoners. at between 125, 900 and 1870 900 70
the IL days of ceaseless battle along a Sc
mile front This is to be compared if COZ
rect. with French estimates of $500 [
10000 Germans killed, wounded, or car
tured during the same period. The bulk c
the German losses were dead and wound
ed men as there have been no claims c
the allies of having captured any grea