New-York tribune., 1918-06-29

tions, his reserves are numerically
greater and his supply of munitions
is greatly increased. Haig didn't
launch his major operation-the
Ypres offensive-until July 81. Thus
Ludendorff still has a full months
advantage over Haig. 1t is believed
Ludendorff's plans for the 1918
campaign call for the heaviest ef-
forts during the six weeks from July
1 to August Is.
Since the Battle Of KENNEL tre-
mendous changes have taken place
north of the Somme. British field
artillery has replaced the losses of
March and April and engineers have
constructed miles of railways where
no lines existed before. There is al
ways the possibility Of surprises, but
Ludendorff is unlikely to play in
such luck as he enjoyed this spring.
u. S. to Play Big Part
The German army carries a
powerful punch, is we'll trained and
organized for offensive tactics, and
it remains very real menace. Lu-
dendorff has benefited by the lull,
but the same can be said of the AL
lied army.
When the next crisis comes the
Americans will play larger part,
and their fine work in their small
but brilliant engagements has won
them the confidence of their gen.
erals, who are certain to intrust
them with heavier tasks.
The military critic Of the "Frank-
furter Zeitung" gives the following
estimate Of the number of Allied di-
visions used since March 21:
Depicts Allies Shattered
"In all, Foch has had the use of six
ty-five divisions for defence Of the
country in front of Paris. We are
considering the front from Montdidier
TO the Marine as strategic Init. As the
battles on the Somme and Lys have
claimed fifty-three English divisions
and 49 French divisions of the 1870
divisions in the French army before
the beginning of the offensive, about
lilo have suffered in action. Many were
launched several times. Nevertheless, it
is clear that great claims have been
made for the enemy armies, not to
speak of the casualties suffered which
cannot be replaced.
The Western Powers, out of 100 or
SO divisions they had on March 21,
have hardly left twenty which have not
suffered more or less during the Of
fensive. New recruits cannot be suf-
tcient in numbers nor cf the same
quality. The Americans can be con-
.'dered only indirectly, so far as actuA
fighting is concerned. On the other
hand, it should not be forgotten that
the English leaders have Used the last
weeks to get their defeated armies in
good order again.
Smaller Loss Claimed
But our calculations are simple if
both sides have suffered the same
casualties. The 100000 prisoners taken
oy Germany means deficit on the
Entente side. AS matter of fact, as
we have been constantly assured, the
enemy losses have been very much
heavier than ours, which is easily ex-
planned by our superior tactics and
strategic superiority.
IF, therefore. we say that Foch's re-
serve army no longer exists, it is not
only fully confirmed by our calcula-
tions, but it is clear that the inner ef-
fects of German strategy go much
further than this"
1t is interesting to note that
whereas he disposes of the Americans
by stating that they "can be considered
only indirectly as far as actual
is concerned" Secretary Baker
puts their number at 100000, or ap-
proximately 100000 bayonets, of which
possibly half million will be ready
for fighting this summer.
1t is an analysis of this kind and net
that of the Frankfurter critic which
prompts Kuehlmann to pessimism.
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