New-York tribune., 1918-03-28
French and British Have
Fresh Force and Mass
of Guns Ready
Clemenceau Now
Full of Confidence
Premier Thinks Germans
WillNot Bene6tby Their
Bloody Gains


ceau told the Army Committee of the
Chamber of Deputies to-day that the
moment was near when the reserves
OF the Allies would enter into action.
The great battle now being wared in
France would then take on new
phase, and, he added, there was every
reason to hope that the enemy would
not retain the benefit of the gains
made at such bloody price.
There was settling down along
the British and French fronts, where
thc Germans were trying to break
through, and even within the last few
hours there had been noted a slacken-
ing in the enemy's effort.
The Premier was before the com
mlttee for more than an hour and a
half. He dealt at length with the sit
uatlon and spoke with full confidence
IN the future. Strategical considera-
tons, he said, did not belong to the
CONAN Of the government, but he gave
details Of the military situation. with
an explanation Of the measures taken
in agreement between the high COM
mands of the Franco British armies to
assure effective direction of the opera
tions
An official note issued to-day said:
"Ihe Cabinet met this morning.
President Poincare presiding Premier
Clemenccau informed his colleagues of
the military situation. The Premier
has just returned from the front,
where he passed the day Tuesday with
President Poincare and Louis Lou
cheur, the Minister of Munitions. The
Premier returned with satisfactory
impression"
Every Reason for Confidence
In conversation with Deputies be-
fore the Chamber assembled this morn
ing Premier Clemenceau declared that
never was confidence more justified
than now.
According to the latest news from
the front, the force of the German at
tack seems to have been diminished
by the deadly struggle of the last few
days. Yesterdays onslaught was far
from having the same violence as
those which preceded it.
The Franco Brilish high command is
taking advantage Of the respite to pre-
pare for battles which the Allies will
deliver at their own time and on the
most favorable ground.
Deputies who took part in earlier
campaigns express the opinion that if
the Germans can be held for forty
eight hours more their offensive will
prove to have been checked.
Few of the Deputies listened to the
debate in the Chamber. Most of them
remained in the lobbies, commenting
on the latest official communications.
Henry Franklin Bouillon, president of
The Foreign Affairs Committee, said
that, although the situation was seri
Gus, it should be regarded with scren-
ity. He pointed out that the French
army, whose valor the enemy recog-
nzes; is intact.
This is but minute part of our
army" he added. "Not even ten div
sions have participated in the battle"
French Ready to Strike
Edouard 1gnace, Under Secretary for
words. Leon Abrami, Under Secretary
for Pensions, summed up the situation
thus:
"After hard combats with the Brit
ish troops, the Germans are about to
meet the shock Of a powerful French
army, perfectly fresh, animated by a
spirit of sacrifice and protected by a
curtain of artillery fire such as it is
difficult to conceive of. This army has
been taken to the scene Of action by
railroads and every other route. Most
of these troops have not yet fired
bullet or a she'll. Hitherto few in
dependent divisions have checked the
cncmy's progress.
"Furthcrmore, formidable British re-
serves of mannuvre are arriving on
the battlefield, so that the enemy's
gains of ground can be but ephemeral.'