The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-20
1,6SO,OOO Germans COncentrat-
ed for Big Drive.
All Possible Divisions ReOrgan-
lied for New Blow.
HAVE RESERVE OF 696, 900
German Artillery Fire on In
crease Near Albert.
Australians Capture Village and
French Gain Ground.
BY HENRY WOOD.

Field, May 19 (night) In preparation
for resumption of their offensive the
Germans have concentrated lao or
their best divisions between the Nortn
sea and the Disc. These comprise
two-thirds of their entire army ana
to tai in round numbers 1,6SO.oOo men,
Including 100000 infantrymen.
This mass, which includes all the
divisions the Germans were able 10
reorganize and reform after tnelr
March offensive, is divided into live
great armies as follows:
The fourth army. comprising seven
divisions (S4,000 men), between the
North sea and Ypres commanded by
Won Arnim; the sixth army, NUMBER
ing 27 divisions 1924, 900 men), pc
tween Ypres and Givenchy' com
mandec by Won Quasi; the seven,
teenth army, between G1Vehcny anu
Isucuuoy, commanded by Won BueloW;
the second army between Bucquoy
and Moreuil, commanded by Won Der
Narwitz and the eighteenth army
between Moreuil and Noyon' COM
manded by Won Mutier.
Big Reserves Behind Line.
The last three armies. comprising
forty-eight divisions (576,0OO mem
make total of eighty-two divisions
C9S4,OOO men) in the front line be-
tween the sea and the Disc. FIFTY
eight divisions (696,00O men) are sta
toned in reserve behind these for the
purpose of feeding the attack-when
once launched-and filling up the
losses.
There is every indication that the
coming resumption of the offensive
will have the same objectives as the
first-to threaten Amiens; to cut the
Amiens- -Clermont railway: to force the
evacuation of the Ypres salient and 20
separate the main British and French
armies. thus forcing an evacuation OF
northern France and permitting the
establishment of a new line from the
mouth of the Somme to Noyon, by
way of Montdidier.
The German Dream.
The Germans thus would realize
their long cherished dream of subma-
rine bases on the channel, from which
they could menace the allies maritime
traffic.
Against this dream. the allies uni
field command has taken every pre-
caution and is awaiting with. supreme
confidence the coming drive.
London. May 2O.-The German
artillery developed increased activity
last night along the front between
Albert and Bucquoy,- the war office
announces.
Paris, Sunday, May 19.-The off
cial statement from the war office to-
day reads:
THE artillery on both sides was ac-
tive north of the Avre. French pa
trolls were active in the sector of Han
gard and captured prisoners
Enemy surprise attacks against
our positions on the lower Ailette in
the Argonne and in the Woevre were
broken up by our fire. We brought
back prisoners in raids east of
Rheims. There is nothing to report
on the remainder of 'front.'
With the American Armies in
France, May 2O.-The American Of
ficial communique, issued last night,
says:
Aside from mutual aerial activity.
the day was quiet on all fronts occu-
pied by our troops.
"Our aviators brought down two
hostile airplanes.
London, May 2O-Australian troops
captured the village of Ville-sur-
Ancre. north of the Somme, in a sur
prise attack Sunday night, taking $50
prisoners and twenty machine guns.
The Australian casualties were light,
Field Marshal Haig said in his re-
port.
Berlin Reports Rcpulse.
Regarding this operation, the Ger
man war office said that, British To-
cal attacks on the south bank of the
Ancre sanguinarily collapsed
Hafg also reported successful raid
on German post southwest of
Meteren. in Flanders.
The French war office reported NIL
tual cannonading north of the Avre.
French patrols brought in prisoners
in the Hangard- d-en-Santerre sector.
German surprise attacks, the COM
munique said, failed on the lower
Ailette, and in the Argonne and
Woevre regions.
From Ypres to Rheims the allied
armies await confidently the -esump-
ton by the Germans of the offensive
they began two months ago, Good
weather prevails along the fronts in
Flanders and Picardy but the enemy
has shown no disposition to take ad-
vantage of it.
Germans Still Lack "Pep"
Lack of fighting spirit in the crack
German divisions. it is reported is
holding back renewal of the heavy
battles. Most of the first class units
were battered severely in the fighting
of the last two months and require
more rest before they can again take
up active operations.
Indications are that the Germans
may extend the fighting front fur
ther south and east along the Aisne
Continued on Page Two.)
Aliens Must Be Careful
Washington, May 20.-Unnatura1-
ized German men and women are
warmed in departp1ent of irSfico