The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-25
Kaiser Has Reached the Down.
ward Curve of Manpower.
All German Divisions Have
Fought Twice, Some 8 Times.
THIS YEAR HARD STRAIN ON HUN
German Command Still Has
Some Reserve Divisions.
But Many Units in Them Have
Been SoreIy Tried Already.

London, July 25.-The reports show
that the German high command has
thus far engaged sixty-four divisions
G6s.000 men) in the present battle,
representative of groups Of the Ger
man armies from Flanders to Alsace.
The sixty-four divisions are nearly q
third of the available German army.
The conclusion is drawn that the
enemy is being hard put to it for re-
serves, altho Crown Prince Rupprecht
of Bavaria on the northern front still
has plenty of reserve divisions.
In authoritative circles here the view
is expressed that Germany has reached
what might be called the downward
curve in her man power. This applies
to Prince Rupprecht's army as well as
to the rest of the German army and
it explains why Prince Rupprecht is
not inclined to take the offensive.
Not a Sudden Drop.
This drop in German man power is
not a sudden occurrence. It has been
known to the allied military authori-
ties for some time. The infantry units
have been weakened by the with
drawa1 of storm troops and by heavy
losses.
German Strc:-sth Sorely Tried.
(By the Associated Press)
With the French Army in France,
July 25.-Greater efforts than ever
before have been exacted this year by
German army chiefs from the troops
under their command. Compared with
last year when the fighting was very
severe, all their divisions have been
called upon to make at least a double
effort The correspondent is able to
demonstrate the terrific nature of the
task thrown upon the German soldiers
by the desire of the German emperor
u, = l. l. III t.
before American troops arrived in suf-
ficient numbers to turn the balance.
Had 100000 Last Year.
During last year the Germans pos
sessed on their western front between
160 and 10 divisions presumably
about 100000 men). The most of
these were engaged twice and some
three times during the entire twelve
months, having in the meantime been
reconstructed.
Verdun used 20 divisions; the
Somme 25; the Aisne and Chemin Des
DANES fighting so; Flanders 1870;
Cambria IS and minor operations 80.
making altogether $40 divisional en-
gagemerts.
Fhis Year 2,5OO,OO0.
Owing to the detection of the Rus
slams from the allies, the Germans
have been able to place 210 divisions
S,OOU,OUU IHSHJ OH Liz
western front this year. From Janu-
ary to July "a, little moro than six
months, these divisions have been en-
gagged about 430 times, so that each
has been thrown into battle at .east
twice during the half year. With
operations becoming more frequent
this proportion is rapidly increasing.
When the present battle began the
Germans had twenty eight divisions on
that portion of the field westward
from Rheims as far as Chateau Thier-
ry Now the front has been widened
by the allied attack from the latter
city to the Aisne and the Germans
have hurried more forces into the
line, bringing the total now engaged
on this part of the front to over forty
and placing a considerable strain upon
the enemy's reserves.
Still Have Some Reserve Divisions.
They still have reserve divisions con-
centrated at some places behind their
lines. but many units comprising these
division have been so. ely tried lis
year and it Is questionable whether
participate in a new attack should the
German staff decide TO order one to
retrieve the crown prince.
French Officials Confident.
Paris. July 25.-The army commit
tee has received very favorable re-
ports from members with the armies
in the field on the operations now 20
ing on. Rene Renoult, president of
the committee. thus sums up me OBJ
servations made:
1.-The powerful German offensive
prepared in secret for more than a
month and led by more than fifty di-
visions was in u few days, almost a
few hours, broken up and then VIC
toriously swept back. 1t is t. the
peerless valor of the French soldiers
and their American, British and Ital-
ian comrades and to the science of the
military chiefs who proved unques-
tionable masters in the conception aid
execution of the operation that these
results are due.
A decisive Turn in the War.
his certainly marks a decisive
turn in the war justifying he pro-
found satisfaction and the great hopes