New-York tribune., 1918-09-12
Med ofMan Power Thought
Likely to Cause Enemy
to Shorten Front
Foes Casualties in
Retirement 100000
I,udendorAf Utilizes Aus
trians to Fill Depleted
Ranks of His Armies


WASHINGTON. Sept. 11.-Behind
.be apparent lull in the battle in
France events are swiftly shaping for
orerations of crucial Importance, in the
oninion of officials here who are keep
;np in hour to hour touch with develop
rents. These observers believe
weeks time will see either the greatest
battle of the war in progress along the
old Hindenburg line or the enemy
again in full retreat toward the Bel
gisn frontier. refusing to meet Marshal
Foch's forces.
There is evidence that the German
High Command may plan further ex-
.ensive withdrawal in order to shorten
its offensive lines and ease the strain
upon Germany's waning man power
There is now little doubt that it was
lack Of fighting etfectives that forced
the enemy to abandon all he had gained
in his drive OF this year and narrow his
front.
Foe Casualties 100000
Unofficial estimates from France say
the Germans have left behind them
during the withdrawal more than
100000 prime lighting men, killed,
badly wounded or prisoners. This is
in addition to the heavy losses in the
frontal attacks by which the enemy
carly in the summer drove his wav
toward Paris and the Channel ports.
With such losses as these draining
the ranks and with American troops
pouring into France at the rate OF
100000 month, it would not surprise
officers here if the German leaders
nave been compelled to fix upon a much
shorter front than the old Hindenburp
line as one which would offer any hone
OF staying the Allies onward march
Unofficial reports from Dunkirk.
where Allied air patrols are based. in
dlcate that the preparations to evacu-
ate Douai, northern cornerstone of the
Hindenburg arch in France. are wol
advanced
Signs of New Retreat
ne Allied airmen are said to have
seen the enemy airdromes and aviation
S'ations ftteen miles beyond Douai
being hastily evacuated of heavy mate
rial. From other sources come reports
mat the civilian populations of the
towns IN German hands in this region
are being driven out a step which AL
ways precedes a withdrawal bv rho
enemy.
There is little doubt in the minds Of
of1cers here that Douai could be held
only at great cost if the British are
sent forward to take it. Already Sir
douglas Haig's men have a firm hold
astride the line between Douai and
Cambria, and observers believe it will
De little short of military miracle if
me enemy, out of the confusion un
aVoidaoie IN his swift retreat, can or
game a defence for Douai, Cambria.
st' Quentin or La Fere which can re-
Slst successfully the full weight Of the
Allied armies.
II these towns fall the Hindenburg
Ane goes with them, probably along the
whole length, it is said. Foot by foot
'ne French have forced their way
around the northern side of La Fere.
while to the south French and Ameri-
can troops have clung to their hold on
'ne heights above Vauxillion against
repeated counter attacks. Another
mile OF advance here and just to the
south Will put General Mangin's men
actually on the northern end of the
Ohemin des Danes. the ridge that
guards Laon from the Franco -Ameri
can forces along the Aisne.
Sick Men Put in Ranks
AS to the straits in which the Ger
man leaders find themselves for men
lurther Information reached Washing
Ton to-day. Official dispatches from
france said orders had been issued by
we herman Command to get wounded
men pack into the ranks even before
complete cure had been effected, to en-
p'0y at once German prisoners re-
.eased BY the Russians, even though
'ney had not fully recovered their
strength and health, and to turn cav
airy INTO infantry to fill gaps in the
ranks.
o'ner orders, the dispatches said, di-
wv 'has at certain intervals in quiet
,'''ofS an Austro- Hungarian division
paced between two German divi-
s'V"s' or that Austrian soldiers be dis
N'Ou'ed IN German regiments in pro-
ro'',on of sixty to company to make
!. : op 'ne full company strength of about
'nese advices also state that the re-
.ae''oh t.h OF the battalion strength to
; sA'ee companies instead of four mt
isO .;s erect in at least eight enemy divi-
0"e s,e was largely for the purpose of
"aAing good losses in companv and
n