Arizona republican., 1918-10-20
HUN RUNS S0 FAST
 WILL HE BE ABLE
 ID STOP? MARCH
(Richmond Times -Dispatch)

RlC n1nOnQ pdtC0J
 WASHINGTON, Oct. l9.-The Ger man retreat from Belgium continued today at a rate that indicated early ar rival of the allied forces before the first of the enemys series of defense lines. Reports from the front were of a scattering character, however, and furnished officers here with little basis for gauging the impediate strategic situation One unofficial report placed the Anglo American advance patrols in the western edge of the forestOf Normal, between Nalenciennes and Avesnes. If this is correct the first subsidiary line of the enemy has al ready been broken.
 General March referred to this situ- ation today in his weekly conference, saying:
 Prom Lc Cateau northward, the British have reached but have not yet attempted to cross the German defense line, which there follows the east bank of the Selle river, up to the Sensee marshes"
 Hun Retreat Gains Speed The situation along the front was in such state of fluX, shifting every hour with the German withdrawal gaining in speed, that General March made no effort to outline the strategic possibilities. He did, however, call at tention to the fact that the withdrawal l had expanded to cover practically the whole 250- mile front from the coast to | the Mouse, where General Pershing's forces are carrying forward the allied right wing.
 If the German commanders are sue cessful in bringing their great retreat to a halt on the expected defense line, officers here believe that the enemy cannot long remain in that position. The Anglo American thrust already ap- pears to have fractured the keystone of the Ghent- -Valenciennes- -Avesnes arch at Normal forest.
 Will He Be Able to Stop?
 There is much speculation here, how ever, as to whether the enemy will be able to stop the tide of retreat he has started, now that it is in full swing The whole enemy line from the Disc north is in a fluid state. Observers believe it will be a difficult matter to soidify it again if allied pressure can keep pace with the retreat.
 The very depth of the enemy with drawal, it is possible. may serve to give him time for this adjustment. The coinmunication lines of the French British and Belgian armies are rolling out behind them in ever-extending ave nues, back to their bases. The armies cannot outrun these arteries and il takes time to repair and build railway: to handle the vast supplies that mus go forward every hour.
 Yanks Hold Key to Front
 To some officers, therefore, it seem: likely that q pause will soon occur il Belgium and on the northern part O the great battle front. They are watch ing intently, however, for a new thrus by the American and Franco American force east and west of the Mouse, wh' perhaps are holding the key to th' whole enemy front, whatever plans fo gradual withdrawal to the German frontier have been made.
 It is pointed out that while many in l termediate lines have been indicate, as possible defense positions in tn northern battle areas, all reports hay agreed upon the Mesieres- Sedan Mon Medy- Metz front as the only defens position in the field before the Frencl and Americans on both sides of tn MeuSe. Nd1OT GeDeTdl l,lSSell ; AIleTl l can first army is already within twelv miles of that line.
 Coming to Grips Soon There is good reason to expect a con centration of effort to bridge this ga
 and come to grips with the enemy i
 his position of last. resort, officer :, think. The Franco American opera :. ! tions are taking shape for a new thrus : along the Mouse and in that connectio particular importance was attached to
 day to the crossing of the Aisne an
 capture of the heights east and mort
 of Vouzieres by the French. il On this front the French now stan . almost at right angles to the America
 lines, east of Grand Pre-. Wooded, hill
 ground faces both armies, but pocket
 ing enterprise apparently is being de e veloped around this forest region, tha |, is blocking the movement along tn i, Mouse. Berlin reports show fierc Il fighting in the depths of this pocke n the repulse of the French and Ameri : cans being claimed.
 The French are approaching the AT
 dennes canal line north of the fores
 barrier. It may be possible, it wa = said today. that a swift pincer move : ment similar 10 that which cleared tl u Argonne pocket before, will be launche n to open the road to the German mai line of resistance.