Mexico Missouri message., 1918-06-06
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARp.

Operations of last week In the war
zones led to the prediction that the
central powers were preparing to
strike hard and soon on two fronts
in France and Italy-with some pros
poets Of q great naval battle in the
North sea. 1t was admitted by the
Germans that their tremendous losses
were largely responsible for the delay
In resuming their drive on the west
front. They were very busy reorgan-
izing their forces and bringing up
fresh troops who have not yet been
engaged In the fighting there, Rain
and mud, ably seconded by the allied
aviators, made difficult the moving of
supplies by the Huns, but they kept at
the task doggedly. Meanwhile their
artillery ceaselessly pounded away at
various important salients held by the
allies. In return the latter gave more
than they received.
There were many infantry opera
tons that must be classed as small
because Of the magnitude of the war
fare, but which resulted In the recov-
cry of valuable positions by the allies.
In one or two Instances the Germans
also gained footholds In the lines but
counter-attacks always drove them
out promptly and they invariably suf-
fered heavy casualties. The kaiser's
armies, however. showed no especial
signs Of weakening, and no competent
observer doubts that they are still
capable of tremendous efforts and will
make them. General Foch and, indeed,
all the allied commanders, await the
renewal of the offensive with conf
dence that their men can Withstand 1t.
The same confidence prevails on the
italian front. where also General Foch
is In supreme command. The Aus
trlans have been concentrating great
they have had on the French front
and they were expected to deliver
their blow between the StelviO pass
and Monte Grappa. just east of the
Brenta, In the hope of breaking
through to Brescia and Milan. The
Austrian positions in that sector are
admittedly better than those of the
Italians. To repel the expected drive
the Italians have the assistance OF
British, French and Americans In
number at least equal TO the Italian
forces sent to France and Flanders.
Early Tuesday Italian naval units
succeeded In stealing into Pola harbol
and torpedoing an Austrian dread
naught Of the Viribus Units class. Al
the same time Italian seaplanes en-
gagged and routed the Austrian battle
planes over Pola.
The prediction of naval battle iT
the North sea was based on the fac
that the entire German Baltic fleet
excepting few light cruisers, was re
called to Kiel, and great activity a
that base was reported. The German
navy probably feels bit humiliate(
| over the second British raid on Os
tend, in which the old cruiser vindic
tive, laden with concrete, was sunk a
the entrance of the channel, blocking
It to all large vessels.
Ia
Participation In the lighting on thu
west front by the Americans brigadeC
with the British and French is increas
Ing daily, and II is now made know
that whenever American troops pre-
dominate In the brigade division
these divisions win be put under com
mand OF General Pershing. This, II 1
believed, will bring larger numbers o
our boys to the battle line rapidly ant
contribute greatly to the spirit of unit,
] ana concerted effort. The war depart