Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-03
German Losses Since
March n believed to
Total 900, 900 Men

London, May 3.--With the reports
from the French war Office and from
Field Marshal Haig showing almost
complete inactivity on both the. Somne
and Flanders battle fields, observers
here are speculating on how many more
men the German higher command will
be willing to risk In costly offensive OPP
erations. -
Aside from raiding engagements, and
the customary artillery exchange. the
reports last night point out. there has
been practically no fighting either IN
the north or the south
This means that the German COM
mand has permitted three days to pass
since General Won Arnim sustained his
severe reverse southeast Of Ypres. with
out undertaking anything but minor at
tacks. Some of the very optimistic
would like to believe the enemy will
hesitate considerably before CHANGING
further onslaughts at the cost OF thou-
sands OF men.
Thus observers during this, lull are
casting up the enemy losses from data
coming from variousa sources. and
weighing reports, whick seem to indi-
cate that Ludendorn may be seriously
pondering his losses.
Using Nsw Glasses.
Not the least interesting of these bits
of information is a. dispatch from Brit
islr headquarters IN France, which
says:
"The German field depots are being
casualties. The Thirteenth German re-
serve division has just received COM
pany OF ESQ boys of the 1920 class.
who had only eight weeks training. and
were not to be put into the fighting
unless absolutely necessary. But the
fact that they are now in the division
in the battle fme suggests the anticipa-
ton that they may have to be used"
Gussses LossssAt 100000.
2 Coupled with this is the statement
given circulation here and attributed
to source of authority, that the Ger
mans have suffered casualties amount
ing nearly to 900. 900 men since linden
burg and LudendorH Began their often
sive on March 81 which was to crush
the power of the allies.
After their recapituiation some mill
tary students here are more than ever
convinced that General Foch as the
days pass, is reaching a position of
strategic superiority, which. when the
proper time comes, will be used with
telling effect
It is pointed out, however. sthat@sShile
Germany has employed nearlys3. SOC, 900
electives on the western front 1t ~
capable still OF .deliyering In duplicate
the tremendous blow which at first,
stunned the allies. forces in. Picardy
and Flanders
The allies have been able to identify
on the western front 206 hostile divi-
sions. which means upwards of 2,25O.-
900 men. The total enemy troops in all
theaters has been estimated at 242 divi-
sions.
Up to the present the German high
command has thrown into the struggle
14O divisions, some OF them several
times. This leaves Hindenburg sixty
five divisions which have not beensto
and disorganized by the terrific combat,
or about 100000 men.
Some OF Old Men.
OF these divisions ten or eleven are
able for work in quiet sectors, but un-
QueStlOnaDly not up W IHe dSsIeSSiNe
standard required for offensive, or even
hard defensive operations.
On these figures. it Is pointed out
that the enemy, therefore. has hardly
more than 100000 German troops which
he can use for continuation Of a vic
tory campaign"
Back of these. the only Hun hope
lies in the young classes, which will
furnish only about 100000 year, and
troops from the other enemy allies.
The use of Austrian and Hungarian
infantry divisions on the west front is
not impossible but is hardly regarded
as probable. except at the very last
stages of fight to the death.