Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-02
BELIEVE Huns PLAN
ADVANCE On PARIS
American Army Officials Artici-
pate Consolidation of Aisne
and Picardy Theatcrs.
CLOSELY STUDY WAR MOVES
Opinion Prevails Most Stubborn
Fight Will Come Near
Soissons.
CLOSELY STUDY WAR MOVES

WASHINGTON. June l-Nith tho
crown princes army now stcndins On
The north Dauh or the Marne. army
officials here believe The German ad-
vance in that direction Viii stop, while
increased pressure is cXcrtnd against
the Chateau-Th!crry- Soissons line in
the effort to consolidate completely the
Aisne and Picardy battle tncaters Such
consolidation is regarded a u necessary
preparation for an advance Oh Paris.
or for new assault Oh the Amiens
front.
This view OF the situaticr in France
was communicated TO members of the
Senate Military Committee to-day by
General March. chief of staff. during
the weekly conference OF the Senators
with War Department officials.
Other officers who are closely study
ing the reports from the front are
known TO share General March's
views Many Of them believe, how
ever. that General Foch. the allied
commando chief. counted on just
such an effort by the Germans and that
the most stubborn fighting OF the pres
cnt offensive viii come al the Ger
mans seek to press westward south
of Scissors.
Already the French have reacted Wig
orously against the enemy at various
points along the line there and with
good success. This is taken as an in
dication that the reserves have been
massed for use in this sector. while
the Marne formed the line OF defense
IN the center.
There was no effort here to disguise
the fact that the success OF the Ger
man blow UP to this time has been n
surprise. Apparently no elements OF
strategy have been employed, which
forced the withdrawal Of the French
on an unexpected scale. General
March explained to the Senator'S that
long-range fire with gas shells had
played part In the German strategy.
French positions. for miles in the rear
of their front lines. were repeatedly
drcnched with toxic shells OF largo CAL
ibre and rendered untenable even be-
foTe the enemy infantry had approached
them, neccssitating wide retircmcnts.
AS the Gernian efforts continue. the
war Department is exerting every ef-
fort to further expedite the movement
of American troops to France. Cen
eral March. in his talk 10 the Senator'S.
laid stress upon the vital importance
of speed in the American program
In this connection, an official statement
from Secretary Baker as to the troop
movement is to be expected soon.
Pending that announcement. specula-
ton or the publication of information
regarding the present strength of the
American army IN france has been
specifically forbidden.
QUICKLY WHIP AMERICAN
HRIGADES INTO CONDITION
Mr.. Baker explained in some detail
to-day the process by which American
divisions are being quickly whipped
into shape when they reach the other
side. Only infantry and machine-gun
units are brigaded with the British, Mr.
Baker said, while all artillery prepares
for front-line duty either with the
French or with veteran American bat
teries. Engineers, signal corps and
other auxiliary arms, also are trained
largely with the French and American
forces. The secretary laid stress on
the fact that exactly the same process
of briEadinG new units with veteran
divisions for initial training is fol-
lowed IN the American army as is fol-
lowed with the French or British army.
When new division arrives in
France it is broken up into small units,
which are distributed in divisions
back from the front for their rest
period. The new men continue with
the veterans until they have seen
front-lne service. Then they arc re-
assembled and do n tour of duty mt
the front under supervision Of veteran
staff officers in order TO gain experi-
ence in functioning as divisional
unit under fire. The men then are
withdrawn for rest period and they
next come forward to take their places
in the line as trained division. ready
for battle.