New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-02-14
GERMAN FORCE IN
WEST 2,O88,OOO
France Believes Opposing Forces
Equal in Personnel

Paris, Feb. u. CDelayed.) 1.-The
hope, freely EXPRESSED in well-in-
formed circles here q, few months ago.
that the coming spring and early sum-
mer would be a decisive period, and
that peace was probable before
autumn, or at least the end of the
year is gradually giving way to
more serious, but nOWiSe peSsimiStic
point Of view. Unprejudiced French
men admit that Germany's position
is much improved by recent events in
Russia ana realize that it is unwise to
pin hopes overmuch on the effects Of
the infltration Of Bolshevist theories
into the Kaiser's empire.
The latest news from inspired
sources at the French front tends to
modify considerably earlier sensa-
tional stories of a gigantic "hit or
miss" German drive, whose failure
for the idea of success was secuted
would bring about the end of the war.
A writer in the Petit Parisien today
emphasizes in a detailed article the
fact that while a German offensive
is almost certain, allied observations
show that the enemy has spent in
finite trouble on the organization Of
barbed wire and other defenses in
view OIL possible cOuIl6T-dl IetCkS, luuS
indicating that the Germans have lit
tie hope of a possible rupture of the
allied front, or even a big advance,
such as they attempted at Verdun.
The truth is, the opposing forces
are too nearly equal in France at this
moment, and the defense systems are
too thorough for either side to expect
any material progress Doubtless the
Germans have been able to bring
artillery from Russia, but certainly
not enough to give them an appre-
cable preponderance, especially in
view of their difficulties in the trans
portation of munitions.
Enemy Strength Exaggerated.
AS regards men, it is stated from
an authorized military source in the
Echo de Paris that reports of an
immense increase in the number Of
Germans on the western front have
been greatly exaggerated, and that in
reality they have at the outside a to-
tai Of ia divisions (2,O88,O00 men,
estimating the strength Of a division
at 12,000)-only p more (about Esq.,
600 men) than at the time of the al
lied onslaught last spring, when the
| enemy was frankly on the defensive
Wullc against LlldL LIE bIllISu IuIl-
bers have increased, the French have
been reorganized, and the Americans
are already beginning to take their
place in the line.
Thus, on the German side, the in
/ tention appears to be an aggressive,
but not over-risky action, the Kaiser
now building his hopes on the eco
| nomical and commercial advantages
| to be drawn from the Russian peace,
! and on the effects of war WEAKNESS in
| the allied countries. For tho Allies an
! offensive on a wide scale is for the
| moment out of the question, but they
! feel that things are likely to get
| easier both from a. military and eco
! nomic point Of view, as American
| help makes itself more felt, and are
| willing to play a waiting game until
| the American armies are fully in line.
! In France it can be strongly as
serted that there is no danger Of
! weakening. The reorganization of
| the army by General Petain has had
! an effect no less happy than the i'm
| prOvement of the civilian morale un-
/ der Premier Clemenceau. The reaI-
| cation that the Americans are really
! in the war Wholeheartedly, and the
| continuous arrival of such masses Of
; American troops, have given the peo-
J pie something to hope for, and the
{ improved arrangement of food distri-
button has put beyond doubt the pos
| sibility Of their holding on as long
| as may be necessary.