Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-10-20
SITUATION HARD TO GAUGE
Shifting Positions and Scat
tered Reports Render Esti
nation Hard to Make.
KEYSTONE FRONT BRoKEN7
Washington Thinks Anglo
American Gain at Normal
Forest Upsets Hun Plan. !.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1s.-The
German retreat from Belgium con-
tinuod today at a rate that indicated
early arrival OF tho allied force be-
fore tho first OF The enemy's series
OF defense lines. Reports from the
front were Of a scattering character,
however, and furnished officers here
with little basis for gauging the im-
mediate strategic situation. One un-
official report placed tho Anglo
American advance patrols In the
western edge Of the forest OF Nor
mab between Valenciennes and
Avesncs. II this Is correct, the first
subsidiary line OF the enemy has al
ready been broken.
General March referred to this
situation today In his weekly con-
ference. saying:
from La Cataeu 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
tho Senseo marshes.
IAncs Hard 10 Gaugc.
The situation along the front was
IN such a shifting state that General
March made no effort to outline the
ever, call attention to tho fact that
the withdrawal had expdnded 70
cover practically the whole 250-mlle
front from the coast TO the Meuse,
where General Pershing's forces are
carrying forward the allied right
wing.
II the German commanders are
successful In bringing their great re.
treat to a halt on the expected de-
fensivo line, officers here believe
that the enemy can not long remain
In that position. Tho Anglo-Ameri-
can thrust already appears to iiavU
Journal observation-disclosures arch
at Normal forest.
There is much speculation here
however, as to whether the enemy
will be able to stop the tide Of re-
treat he has started, now that II ID
In full swing. The whole line from
the Oise north ID In q fluid state.
Observers believe II will be a diff
cult matter to solidlfy II again 10 al
lied pressure can keep pace with the
retreat.
May Havc Time to Stop.
The depth OF the enemy with
drawal may serve TO give him time
for this readjustment The COM
munication lines OF the French,
British and Belgian armies are roll
ing out behind them In ever extend
ing avenues back to their basea
The armies can not outrun those
arteries and II takes time to repair
and build Railways to handle the
vast supplies that must go forward
every hour.
To some officer therefore, II
seems likely that pause will soon
occur in Belgium and on the north
ern half OF the great battle front
They are watching intently, how
ever, for a new thrust by the Amert-
can. and Franco-American force eaak
and west of the Meuse who perhapn
are holding the key to the whole enc
my front. whatever plans for grad,
ual withdrawal to the German 'front.'
Ter have been made.
1t Is pointed out that while many
intermediate lines have been indt-
Gated as possible defense positions
in the northern battle areas. all re-
ports have agreed upon the Me-
Ziers- Sc dan -Montmedy- Metz front as
the only defense position in the field
before the French and Americans on
both sides OF the Meuse. Major Gem
eral Liggetts American first army
IL already within ~ miles OF that
line.
To Mako New Drive.
There is good reason to axpect q
concentration OF efforts to bridge
this gap and come to grips with the
enemy in his position OF last resort
officers think. The Franco-Amert-
can operations are taking shape for
new thrust along the Meuse and
in that connection particular import
ance was attached today to the cross
ing OF tho Aisne and capture OF the
heights east and north OF Vauziery
by the French.
on this front the French now
stand almost at right angles to the
American lines east of Grandpre.
Wooded hilly ground faces both the
armies, but a pocketing enterprise
apparently is being developed around
this forest region that is blocking
| the movement along the Meuse. Ber-
lin reports show fierce fighting In
the depths OF this pocket, the repulse
of the French and Americans being
claimed.
The French are approaching the
Ardennes canal line north OF tho
forest barrier. 1t may be possible
that swift pinCer movement, SINH
lar to that which cleared the Ar
gonne pocket before will be launched
to open the road to the German main
| line of resistance.
The important part played by the
American troops in the victories
from the western front was empha-
sized by war department officials
today in the weekly conference with
members of the senate military COM
mittee. The work OF American avia-
tors was especially praised.