Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-03-30
FAVORABLE VIEW
IN WASHINGTON
American and Allied Officers
Think Germans Slowing Up.
SEE NO CAUSE FOR ALARM
German Wedge Observation-Disclosures
Expected Now To Strike
On Sides In Effort
To Widen It.

Washington-The German drive at
the British lines appeared to be slow
ing under the policy of elastic defense
pursued by Field Marshal Haig, ac-
| cording to the opinion of Allied and
American army officers here, based on
the ofiicia! statements from London,
Paris and Berlin. The greatest battle
of the war thus far, they believe, IS
entering it's second stage with the
German forces facing an increasing
stubborn resistance. The outcome OF
this stage may not be discernlble for
several days.
The attitude of American military
authorities was officially stated by
Major General March, acting chief OF
staff. He said:
THE War Department sees no cause
for alarm on the part of the people
of the United States. Sir Douglas
Haig has announced that the British
withdrawal was n accordance with d
definite plan. The announcement Is
| to be accepted"
| Similar confidence Of the ultimate
| defeat of the German effort was eX-
pressed by Major Genera! Leonard
Wood before the Senate Military Com
| miitee. ard Major General McLach-
! lin. British military attache, voiced
! the feeling of British officers here as
| to the work of their comrades III
| France in a statement noting that
nothing resembling break in the
british lines vet had been achieved
| by the German rush
There was much speculation mere
as to the purpose Of the German
| leaders in pressing the main attack
| in the direction Of Amicns. The cap
| tue OF Nes,e, admitted in London
! indicates this TO be the apex OF the
great wedee that is being forced into
| he British lines near the point where
to D"its!! and French forces connect
The question raised was whether
| the German plan contemplated a
swing 10 thei- right toward the coast,
designed to hem w all British forces
! in restricted field of operations, with
TIE cIi.nnc, behind them. or sweep
! toward Paris to their left front. AS
vet the developments reported do not
| II i:cate the ultimate objective CT the
assault:
| One view expressed was tina. blow
elsewhere might follow the checking
of the present drive or even accom-
! p2ry ii. Advices from Italy have in
Dictated enemy concentrations on tina,
/ front for some time past. Attacks
| :lons the French lines Go not appear
i 70 be more than feints at present, cal
! c,.,&:ed TO keep the French from
| we"'.aning their lines too far in send
!-~ supporting divisions to their left
h2l
| Officers here think the enormous
| fC.tes concentrated in the drive at
80 British trent pTecludes the posi-
! Elit,- Of maior offensive by the
Germans elsewhere on the lines in
Franco. In Italy. however. masses Of
| Austrian troops formerly occupied in
| Russia. now are available to strength
Ell the Aus:ro-German forces for a
| biz movement. Captured Russian
guns might be used to good effect. it
was said. The only Austrian forces
roted on the western front are artil-
le:y units.
| Mention of the Allied strategic re-
! serves. not as yet engaged, caused
| some debate as to the probable de-
yeiormerts if the British. as is ex-
| pected. bring the German drive to a
| halt within few days. A temporary
| lull while the Germans bring up artil-
ley is to he expected at any time. II
the front CT the British proves too
ti:In to be broken. however, and Off
GERS have no do,bt that it will, the
| Germans eventually will reach a point
of exhaustion both of men and sup
| rlies which will bring them to a
| standsiill.
| Hdt e NOi.Iu Wv t.it p''' Nioio-INd
| moment for a coun e:driye and the
| strategic reserves OF the Allies would
be kent out OF the ficht as long as
rc- sibie il order to have them ready
FOL such movement.
The German wedge is narrowing
2ni unless they are able to widen
il. they cannot expect to retain its
apex against 4 three-sided attack. II
Il is no: wid,,e almost Immediately
| NAVY officers believe that the definite
| checking of the drive viii come soon
and they expect next report to show
the efforts Of the enemy to force back
the British and French lines on his
tanks. rather than to press ahead al
the point of his greatest penetration
| Continuation of the bonlbardment
OF Paris with medium caliber shells
failed to convince ordnance experts
that a gun with a range Of IS miles
or more has been evolved by the Ger
| mans Those who would discuss The
reports still did not believe that shell
are being hurled that distance. off
cial statements from Berlin and Paris
Notwithstanding. They pointed oul
that the German official statement
SALUTE, OR BE HANGED.