Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-06-15
Washington Opinion Is That
German Push on Western
Front viii Break Out Furi-
oUSIy in a Short Time.
STAGE ALMOST SET FOR
RENEWAL OF MAIN DRIVE
Hun Objective From First Has
Been to Separate Allied
Armies and Then Sweep on
to the Channel Ports. o.

'sS @o"S,sa JOURNAL sTsctAl LsAsso wIssl
Washington, June 1.-THE present
hull on the battle front in France only
presages a new and more violent
storm Of attack on the allied lines In
military opinion here. The impress
sion is rapidly strengthening that the
stage is almost set for renewal of the
German main thrust at the British
army around Amiens with the chan
mel cCast as the objective. ...t
Belief has never waivered among
the majority of officers here that the
real purpose of the German general
staff has been from the first to cut
the allied armies apart by drive that
would carry them to the channel, that
arrived at that goal, massed attacks
would be hurled against the northern
sector for the purpose of destroying
the British army, while strong de-
Tense was maintained against the
French to the south. The thrust at
Paris have been looked upon as plan
ned ami executed feints designed to
weaken the Amiens front before the
tiual effort would be made there. On,
no other theory can these observers
explain the sequence of German oper-
atoms III the great battle; and on no
other basis. they say, can the cam
paign OF defense waged by General
Foch be understood.
10 Strike Against Compiegnc.
Some observers believe further eff
forts are to be expected to flatten out
the Compiegno salient completely be-
fore the main attack Is resumed. II
so they argue that the next flare of
activity will come along the front of
The Complegne salient where the fight
ing has just paused momentarily.
Other observers are almost convin-
ced, however. that the situation NOT
only permits, but demands that the
enemys main attack be pressed with
out delay, as American aid is coming
forward more swiftly than the Ger
mans possibly could have estimated
would be the case.
Official announcements show that
approximately half million Ameri-
can soldiers have landed In France
since the German drive began One
element OF General Pershing's mobifs
forces, by direction OF General Foch,
guards the way at the apex of thos
Cantigny, recently recaptured from
the Germans by these forces Is very
close to the point OF maximum pene-
tration achieved by the enemy in near
ny three months of desperate fighting.
Confidence In Gen. Foch.
Secretary Bakers reaffirmipation
yesterday of American confidence IN
General Foch was made with fun
knowledge, for Mr. Baker was In
Europe, in conference with the allied
chieftalns, when the plan of campaign
now being followed was worked out.
He knows why no effort has been
made to wrest the initiative from the
enemy.
Members of the house military
committee at their weekly war de-
partment conference today were told
that the stream OF Americans steadily
moving to the front has resulted In a
noticeable stiffening of the whole al
lied line. The Germans, 1t was said.
apparently had encountered greater
numerical strength than they expect
ed to oppose their third great drive.
and had suffered heavier losses than
they probably had anticipated.
Among other things disclosed was
the fact that Major General Hunter
Liggett has been selected to become
corps commander when the American
forces reach that Strength. and TO
command the first American field
army when 1t Is organized. He COM
mands the forces in the field now.