Evening journal., 1918-02-26
Allies Scour West Front
For Kaiser'S LOST Divisions
special stan Dispatch.

WASHINGTON. D. c., Feb. 2e.-where
are Germany's Lost Divisions"
That is the big puzzle on which the
whole effort Of the French and English
intelligence offices is cenlered today.
That is the puzzle on which allied
aviasors are busy. And IL Is the an
swer to that puzzle that British and
French and American soldiers have
sought for the past two weeks in
every trench raid and reconnaissance
they have carried out
The allies know Germany is planning
a tremendous offensive on the western
front.
Through the activity Of their intelli-
yence divisions. the aero scouts and
trench raiders, the allies know the 10
cation Of every unit Of the Kalser's
great army with the exception Of ap-
proxmately a score Of divisions
Those are the Lost Divisions" that
the allies seek, the finding Of which
might unlock the whole secret Of Ger
many's point Of attack.
Allied experts agree that there has
been no battle In this war in which
the results could not have been changed
by the bringing into action Of a dozen
unexpected divisions That is why 10 is
so necessary for the allies TO know.
before Germany strikes. Just where
these lost divisions will be brought
into action.
Extreme massng Of men and mate
rials at Zeebrugge and along a front OF
20 miles in Flanders where the lines
begin. and information secured from
prisoners. indicate that the big attempt
Is TO be made there, with Calais as the
immediate objective
The capture OF Calais would put into
German hands the French port through
which the bluk Of Brtain's men and ma
ierials move into France. Tremendous
terminals and port facilities have been
developed there.
With Calais held by tho enemy. Eng
lands whole system Of supply would be
disrupted. her line Of communication
cut
To send men and supplies into
France through any other port. Eng
land not only would have 20 carry them
four OF i've times as far by water, but
would be hampered' by terminal and
transport difficulties wnen she got
them there. Calais loss would be
serious blow.
OF course. steps have been taken by
the allied commanders to meet the ex-
pecicd onslaught. Men and materials
have been concentrated ai the points
where Information indicates increased
pressure may be brought.
But the big question still remains ::
Just where will the drive develop? o.
When the Lost Divisions" are found,
that question will be answered.
Although increasingly strong attempts
may be excepted against the sector
where American troops are taking their
turns in the trenches. that will not be
'he point at which the big drive viii
come.
u is too far from the main detectives
Of the German general stan-not Of
sufficient immediate importance.
For this big blow. which even Ger
many recognizes as possibly her last. is
20 be struck 40 the heart OF the allied
defense at Calais and the British line
OF communication, or at point further
east, where the Germans believe they
may be able 10 force open gateway
10 Paris"
Meanwhile. while awaiting the much
heralded German drive and taking steps
20 meet IL. the Allies are pushing plans
FOR an offensive Of their own with
Berlin as the ultimate objective.
III the Allies can just hold till May
or June, "the German line can be
broken. German can be beaten, Ger
many must be beaten. and Germany
will he beaten