South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-08-15
NE " ALLIED
! OFFENSIVE IS
ANTICIPATED
Gen. March in Weekly Review
Says Second Drive Against
Huns May be Made Be-
yond Verdun.

WASHINGTON. Aug 15-A new
drive against the German positions
either in Flander- or between the
Oise and scissors isl expected by
many army officers here as result
N the slowing up OF the advance IN
the Picardy section
Outlining the situation ~ his mid
week conference Wednesday. Gen.
March. chief Of staff. confined his
statements 90 pointing out that the
Germans have now been forced
back until they are not within so
miles OF Paris at any point The
head or the army has previously
laid stress on the fact. however
that the greatest advantage won by
Marshal Foch in q military way is
in having wrested the initiative
from the enemy.
The opinion prevailed among 9TH
or officers that the present strug-
Gle around Rove and Lassigny would
soon terminate in the capture Of
those points 20 be followed by the
taking Of Noyon. They agree with
The commentators abroad that all
gns indicate that the enemy in
tends = withdraw and IS lighting
fierce rear guard actions only 20
cover his retirement and 10 permit
him 20 prepare strong lines In his
rear on which 20 stand fast.
Million and Quarter Organized
In the course Of his discussion
cen March said that Gen. Pershing
now has 1.250.00O American troops
organized into the first army corps
Presumably the Americans on the
British left flank i'm Picardy. iden-
rifed by the chief Of staff as the
f31st infantry Of the 33rd (Hlinois
national guard division are among
those still brigaded for training
10 appeared possible TO some Of
7cers that the organization Of the
first American army might be fol-
lowed by an all-American attack at
some point on the line which 10
holds beyond Nerdun. where there
mas been no recent lighting No
reports official or unofficial. have
neen received. however throwins
any light on Gen. Pershiug's plans.
OPP the part assigned 20 him by Mar
shall Foch i'm the present offensive
campaign
Primary Purpose Realized.
The primary purpose or the two
nIcwe Marshal Foch has struck has
been realized Both in the Aisne-
Marine battle and again I'M Picardy.
The attacks were defensive meas
ures 10 free Paris from the menace
~ the two wedges The enemy had
driven i'm that direction. The value
of the drives in this respect was
pointed out by Gen. March today
Officers he p. therefore anticipate
complete change i'm the character
~ the fighting in the next phase Of
the battle with Foch armies as
Stunning the offensive i'm the fullest
sense OF the word and striking 10
force the enemy back In such a
manner that he cannot avail him
self or his old Hindenburg line de
lenses.
Nav BE Double Drive
Dc appears very proba BILE 20 some
observers that the Flanders front
might see the next blaze kindled
with q double drive by British
forces 10 pinch out the salient there
as it has been pnched out at the
Marine and again in Picardy They
roreSee. also. however. the initiation
.f movements OF far greater scope
In the near future. aimed AT flank
ms the Germans out Of the blunt
wedge into which the Picardy and
Nisne battle fronts have been mers
.G hv recent actions