Arizona republican., 1918-10-25
PERSH|NG SA|D
 TO bE ON EVE
 OF b|G ASSAULT
Republican A. p. Leased Wlrel

WASHINGTON, Oct. Successful British operations on the Nalenciennes front took on new importance to ottl- ceTs here today. in the light of the dip lomatic situation. Field Marshal Haig s armies are striking savagely at the hinge of the present German line of re- sstance, and the progress already made is thought by officers here to make it certain that the German retire ment, both in Belgium and i'll France will have to be resumed without delay.
 South of the new British wedge, the French are keeping continuous press ure against the enemy along the Olse- Serre front, making it difficult for the German commanders to disengaSe their forces from this most exposed sector of their lines. Success of the British, however, which now seems assured, would compel a precipitate evacuation of the Disc Serre salient. it is believed, for the communication system of that front would be threatened from the flank and rear.
 Next Defense Mouse Line
 Reduction of the Oise-Serre salient would mean rectification of the lines, probably as far east as the Argonne, observers believe, and coupled with the Franco pounding there, and on the Mouse, the British advances of today and yesterday possibly foreshad- ow the retreat of the enemy to the Mouse lines. If that retirement is de- layed much longer. it was said, there IS strong probability that the British, working eastward from Nalencicnnes. will gather in prisoners, guns ano stores in large numbers later on. In view of the existing military sit uation, officers pointed out that every day was seeing the allied tactical su- perioritY increased, even as their Su 1 periority in man and gun power is in creasing. Since President Wilson has already pointed out to the German au- l thoritics that the safeguarding and guaranteeing of that superiority must be the basis of any arnlistice agree ment, a proposition which the German l leaders accepted, with the statement that standard of military power in the | field" must of necessity govern such terms, it is clear that the conditions Of the armistice to be formulated, grew | increasingly hard on the enemy eacf daN The advantages in position de rived from the latest British thrust of ficers said certainly will not be over looked in estimating the situation oi the opposing forces.
 Big Operations Are Pending ! More than ever. officers are con- vinced that new operations of large scale are impending on the front anC that General Pershing's two aggressive young armies soon will try their mettlt again. There are many minor happen ings which seem to indicate to thes' observers that a smashing blow is il preparation, although the extent ol object of it is only a matter of spec
 ulation.
 Added to the purely military consid
 erations that would seem to urge som' such renewed effort before Winte comes. there is now the incentive pre- sented by the fact that armistice term may soon he formulated. The readines
 of the German authorities to accep
 these terms will he greatly increased, i
 is pointed out. if their line is furthe
 broken and the evacuation upon whicl
 they are engaged rendered increasingl, |. difficult and full of peril.