The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-07-25
FOCH MAY EXTEND
OFFENSIVE into
GERMANS LINES
Allies Leader Realizes
He Has Army Equal
to Enemy's.
DECISION IS NEAR
Length of War and F inal
Victor Depends on
Outcome Of Pres
ent Week.
DECISION IS NEAR

Washington. July a4.--The strategic
possibilities confronting both the al
lies and Germany on the western front
are far greater in number and I'M
portance today than ever before, &C
cording to military experts who are
closely studying every report here Ii
is stated frankly on every side that
the decisions to be made this week by
the opposed strategists will undouot-
edly play great part in determining
the length of the war and the final
victor.
So diverse are the potential stu
atoms that the military experts OF the
United States and the allies, now on
duty here. confess that they can only
point out what may happen; that the
sudden turn In events has upset every
program which the leaders of the OPP
posing forces may have fxed
Military men set forth the follow
ing decisions as possibilities. any one
of which is probable:
1. Germany. having decided to trust
to the outcome of the decision on the
western front to the ability of her
troops to force the Marine, may refuse
to retire further from the Marine sail
ent and may force the decisive battle
of the war. the battle being gradually
extended from the Marine to wide
front
go ~ n
great battle, General Foch may de-
cline the offensive and gather his
forces to a strong line OF defense.
8. Germany may attempt to carry
through her original plan and aim
bold blow against Amiens and the
channel ports.
I. General Foch, secure in the
knowledge that he has an army equal
to that of the enemy, may press the
enemy vigorously. refusing to assume
the defensive and extending his Of
fensive to every section of the 'front.'
where he believes serious losses can
be inflicted upon the emmy.
In connection with these statements
of what the next month may bring
about, new facts relative to the
strength of the forces engaged were
disclosed.
Many Americans In Fight.
The war department has received
reports showing that 80 per cent of
the forces engaged in the surprise at
tack on the western flank of the
Marine salient were Americans.
It is also known now that approx
mateiy only 10l German divisions.
many below their normal strength of
$4,000 rifles, were available for the
German attack OF this number nifty
eight divisions already have been used
up. Moreover. the German forces can
not be brought again to normal
strength before the close OF Septem-
Der Little warfare on a grand scale
can be attempted after October l.
Oficials today stated that the al
lied command now is In possession of
evidence which clearly proves that the
advance knowledge of German plans
held by General Foch was correct In
every detail 1t is known that Luden-
dorff planned first a surprise attack
on the Marine. This smash was to be
developed as rapidly as possible. II
the attack proved a ready ground
gamer. reserve forces were to be rush
ed in and the drive for Paris continu-
ed. the major operation taking place
along the Champagne front.
II the Germans were held up, how
ever, IL was pIdHuSQ 10 xIidtHtdlH TIE
line. give every pretense of preparing
for a continued thrust and then by
rushing the reserves to the Picardy
front deliver a second blow against
the French along the line marked by
Montdidier and Arras,
This explanation discloses why at
the first opportunity General Foch
sent strong forces to feel out the Ger
man strength on a long front before
Montdidier early yesterday. From
the press reports 1t would appear that
the Germans have been unable to car
ry forward their original plan be-
cause of the complete success OF the
counter stroke so ably delivered by
the Franco American troops.
Germany now il fully aware that
Foch. through the assistance OF TOe-
600 trained American fighters, Is fully
able to answer blow for blow. Ger
many realizes at last that America is
rapidly coming into the battle as q
determining factor. 1t is reasonable
to believe that Germany may elect to
settle the battle now and for all time.
that she will attempt to again assume
the offensive and will then battle on
until her army or that of the allies
| II exhausted.
On the other hand. General Fcch
may order strong attacks 81 points
IMA1ch would hamper Any Germany ~
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