Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-10-27
MARCH SAYS
 DEFENSE IS
 CRUMbL|NG Beginning to Crack Under Srtain on Meause Argon-
 ne Front.
POUR IN MANY NEW
 GERMAN DIVISIONS
New Drive on Mouse Front Is Expected In View of Enemy's Critical Stand

Washington, Oct. 26-.The German defense lines on the most vital sector III France-the Argonne- Mouse front are beginning to; crack under the strain; and steady pressure by French and American troops.
 An early breaking of the German resistance and the advance of the French and American armies on a wide front toward the great trunk rail- way which is the immediate objective of the allied operations. is predicted by many officers here.
 Offical statements that new Ger man divisions are being poured into this sector clearly show the anxiety of the German high command over the situation.
 General March, commenting today on the military situation, brought ou very clearly the efforts the enemy is making to meet the American ad- vance,
 "In front of our own troops in the the Argonne," he said Ca very large mass of German troops has been con centrated because it is imperative for the enemy to protect the railroad line which runs from Mezieres to Metz.
 General March pointed out that the front held between the Disc and the Mouse by the allies parallels this great railway system throughout it's length and "threatnes it at all points, From other sources it was learned to- day that more than 30 German divis- ions have been identified in the mar row sector immediately northwest of Verdun where American and French forces continue to work their way slowly forward despite bitter resist ance and strongly fortified enemy positions.
 The French have obtained flank ing position on the east bank of the Aisne river in the western outskirts of the firest of Argonne, while to the east of the Mouse the operations of American troops indicate that the line is being extended and straightel ed in preparation for wide assault when the enemy forces have been suf- fiicently reduced. There is good reason to believe that some part of the sec ond American army is holding this eastern extension fthe Verdun front.
 At no other point bn the whole wes- tern front with the exception of the center arch of the line from the Serre to the region of Valenciennes are the German forces massed in strenfth comparable to that being employed on the Meause.
 The. operations of the British and the French to the north, it is pointed out, bear direct relation to the sit uation on the Mouse, since the enc my cannot spare reserves from the center in the face of the drive to back up his hard pressed left flank =
 It is this coupled with the improY- ing tactical situation in the Argonne that leads observers here to antici- pate the beginning at any time of "a new drive on the Mouse front. ,.
 General March announced that five American corps and division com manders who have been actively en- gagged in France are returning home on the recommendation of General Pershing to take important assign ments here. They are Major Generals Omar Bundy, who organized and com manded the fifth army corps, and. who will go to command Camp Pike, Ark; Clarence k. Edwards, who took to France the 26th, (New England na- tional guard) division. and who will be assigned to command Camp Lee, Pa.; John McMahon, who commanded the fifth (regular) diviison and will be assigned to. Camp Zachray Taylor, Ky; George H., Cameron, who com manded first and fourth Irregular div