Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-31
ARTILLERY PLANS
MAY Be EXP PANDED
Official Washington Is Not Dis
posed to Underestimate
German Menace.
PERsHING IS ENCOURAGED
Says Conditions at Front Are
1mproved-Authorities Anxi-
,ously Await Further News.
PERsHING is ENCOURAGED
tp.. ,-ssoei,.cd rress.l


WASli1SGTON. March 30-OMci;is
here tonight awaited with intense in
tercst more detailed reports of the Ger
man drive against the French in the
region of Montdidicr. Conflicting re-
ports received by the French embassy
late to-day from Paris. and issued by
the British War Office In London cnrly
tonight. left the situation In doubt.
An official dispatch to the French
embassy saying that French reserves
had stopped the advance on twenty
fivemle front from Lassigny to
Moreul. were received with citation. y
few hours later. however. the British
War Office statement told OF the cap
ture by the Germans Of six villages
IN tho region of Montdidier. and added
that on part OF this front heavy fight
ing continued
Officials were hopeful that the ad-
vices 10 the French embassy were
based upon later Information than was
the British War Office announcement.
The French official war Office state
mcnt. however. was expected 10 clear
up this point.
Members OF the Senate Military Com
mittec. during the regular meeting to-
day with War Department officials.
were shown on the map In the War
Council rooms the status OF the great
battle as reported by General Per-
shing.
The Senator'S were not inclined later
TO undcrrate the seriousness OF the
German menace. They were told also.
however, that the battle was shaping
:,self we'll for tho counterblow.
BEGIN DISCUSSION OF
EXPANDING PROGRAM
Consideration OF reports OF progress
on American war preparations was de-
iaycd until the battle situation had
been gone over. Brgadier-Gencral
Wheeler. acting chief OF ordnance. was
questioned al some length as TO the
possibility OF expanding the already
great artillery program on which the
War Department is engaged.
Officers here have been watching re-
ports from the British front closely for
indications as TO the extent Field Mar
shall IIaig has found it necessary to
call upon his reserves to stop the Ger
man advance.
There has been nothing in dis
patches. it was said. to show that the
British strategic reserves have been
t-ouSht into action AT all. Officers be
lieve that tactical reserves undoubtcdly
have been used freely, but If Haig has
called upon his general reserves, they
have not made their presence felt
From this il is argued that large
Eritish force. composed of fresh troops.
IS being held to cooperate with tho
French when the counterassault is de-
livered.
FOCII TO HAVE SUPREME
COMMAND OF COUNTt:RSTROIIE
There were no developments here
curing the day as 10 the assignment
Of General Foch. French chief of staff.
rs communicative chief of all allied and
American troops in France.
IT was said that it could be assumed
that he will have supreme command
of the commensurate.
The War Department was without
additional advices tonight from Cen
ernl Pershng or General Bliss as 10 the
exact disposition TO be made OF the
American troops
In a cablegram dated last night and
received at the War Department to-
Light. General Pershing described the
situation on the Picardy front as i'm
proved" His dispatch described tho
position of the battle lines over the
hfty-live-mile front. the locations be-
ing similar TO those outlined in the
French and British War Office state
mcnts to-day
Although still without official in
formation that General Foch had been
selected TO command the allied troops
or the western front. Major General
March. acting chief of staff, said to-
night that the placing of the armies in
control of a single commander ''is an
extremely valuable military asset. one
the Germans have enjoyed from the
start"