South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-26
GERMANS ARE
MILES FROM
"DEAD-L|NE"
British Still Have Ground For
Strategic Retreat Before
Reaching Line Designated
As Last Stand.
International News Service I:


battle is still far from being in
sight Advices received here over
night and today indicated this fact.
The German offensive, which has
slackened I'm the face Of fierce
Anglo French resistance, again was
increasing in volume at certain
points, the reports show At other
places forces of the kaiser were
holding on while endeavoring to
move up badly needed supplies from
the rear.
While only meager information
was obtainable here as TO the gem
eral plans of the defense. officials
said that the British lines had sew
eral miles left to fall back before
the dead line" beyond which there
is 10 be no retreat, would be reached.
The permanent positions, it is known
here, are held by enormous mum bers
of reserve forces who have as yet
had no part in the terrible struggle
These forces will be utilized at the
proper time, the reports reaching
here say, and il is expected that they
will materially change the battle
outlook
No Further Word.
There was no further word from
Gen. Pershing today regarding the
participation OF American forces in
the struggle. Only two regiments Of
engineers - railway and forestry
workers-are involved. There also
are three companies of engineers in
the vicinity Of the Grozat canal
who. it is assumed, have been in the
thickest of battle. Such informa ton
as the American commander-in-
chief gathers directly can be made
public here The confidential in
formation showing the progress Of
the struggle which is received by him
from the British and French COM
chief, is transmitted
simply for the information Of Pres't
Wilson. the acting secretary Of war
and the general staff IL is plainly
evident from the general feeling of
optimism which is i'm evidence at the
white house and the war depart
ment that the news is at least re-
assuring. II is understood that all
the reports emphasize that it will
be entirely possible 10 hold the
designated strategic line when it is
reached regardless of the number Of
men which the Germans may throw
into action.
No Serious Disaster.
The apparent heavy losses in men
and guns which the British have sus-
tanned. if the German figures are
accurate and no one here is disposed
10 question them, is not serious
disaster. officials say. These men
have had to be sacrificed by being
ordered TO hold certain advanced
positions until actually overwhelmed.
The guns were sacrificed in the
same manner. the time gained for
distributing the forbes which had
been withdrawn being worth more
than either the men or the guns, the
officers here declared
The developments i'm the west
have done much 20 speed up the
American war preparations. At every
cantonment in the country where
troops are assembled awaiting trans
. fer overseas, the officers command
ing are pushing their Supordlnates
10 the limit so that there can be no
delay in getting them across. Many
Fof the divisions are now ready TO
take their places on the firms line
and nothing viii be allowed TO in
terfere with their transfer overseas.
Compulsory military training SEN
timent and plans Lpr a greatly in
creased national army have been
greatly advanced 10y the German Of
feusi,e The majority OF senators
and representatives are now seriously
considering reversing their position
which has been that the draft plans.
were big enough. and are discussing
further measures TO give the nation
more men and still more men for
the task confronting IL. Action
along this line in the near future Is
confidently expected