The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-04-06
army OFFICERS PUZZLED.
FAILURE OF ALLIES 10 STRIKE
BACK AT GERMANS UN.
EXPLAINED.
Washington Army Onicials DO Not
Cnderstand situation In France and
Arc Anxtously Awaiting Develop
mcnt % Gen. F'Och's Plan Of Cam
psign.

Washington. April 3.-with the
battle OF Picardy brought to a stand
stiii for the time being. at least, and
the initial momentum OF the German
drive overcome, military observers
here were plainly puzzled tonight by
the fact that a great counterassault
had not developed. The psychological
moment Of the counterstroke un-
der rules OF strategy. they think, Is
passing. IL II has not already passed,
without q recorded movement of the
allies forces towards throwing back
tho exhausted foe before he has had
time TO dig himself In.
ohicers here admit frankly. how
ever. that they do not know what the
situation at the front is. II any re-
port has come from General Bliss
or General Pershing that would serve
TO explain the defensive tactics of the
sIiiss. II is carefully guarded Sc
crct.
It 10 possible. II Ia suggested. that
the plan OF campaign mapped out by
General Foch Is Of a far greater scope
than would be involved In an effort
to huri the enemy back to his old
lines. The German defenses there,
which successfully stemmed the Brit
ish assault In 1915 are still intact and
even II the allies were successful In
pushing the German lines back over
the 20 or 80 mile zone he has wrest-
sd from them. he would face those
dsfsnses when their own organisation
was badly demoralized by their ad-
vance.
For this reason. some officers were
inclined to look elsewhere for the
aggressive campaign.
u was suggested that the new pur-
poss Of employing American troops
70 an out allied lighting divisions
Wight have some bearing upon the slt-
patisn. n oeusral roch 10 laying
m 'fUuas4x Non fbr 'coff{indSJ 655 ~
ticng eean aggressive character he
would heed to be certain Of reserves
and the detailed plans for employ
fnent OF American troops would have
20 be worked out.
Speeding up Of American troop
movements to France Is engrossing at
tention here now.
One Immediate step to that end Is
known to be In contemplation. It has
to do with the calling to the coiors OF
the 10000 men which 1t already has
been announced will be mobilized
through the seie service machin-
cry during the year. Assurances have
been given that no great withdraw
OF men from agricultural and indus
trial life would be made at one time.
but the indications are that a state
ment now being prepared regarding
the number OF men to be called out
nrst under that plan will show that a
larger force will be mobiiized this
month than had been intended before
the German drive altered conditions
abroad.
The means of housing and training
the men are rapidly becoming avail
able and the movements to France
have already been greatly accelerated.
IL was learned authoritativeiy that
with additional British troop ships
available the war department now has
In sight transportation and supplies
Tor all the men II plans to send under
Its constantly quickening program.
From now on. the proportion OF
lighting troops In General Pershing's
army will increase rapidly.
Figures reaching here as to allied
losses In the bitter days just closed In
Picardy indicate that British and
French casualties have been unex.
pectedly light In view Of the scope of
the action. One estimate. although
It's accuracy is open to doubt. fixes the
total. including prisoners at between
125.ooo and 1900 for the 12 days OF
ceaseless battle along a SO mile front
This is to be compared. II correct with
French estimates of35o, ,oooto4 as o .Ooc
Germans killed. wounded or captured
during the same period.