Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-02
AMERICANS ARE
RELIEVING VETERAN
FRENCH SOLDIERS
u. S, Troops With Training
Will Serve With the French,
War Department Statement
for Week Says

WASHINGTON, April 1.-American
troops so the latter may join the
| French counter offensive in the west
ern line. And such of our troops
| as have received a sufficient amount
of training will cooperate with the
French and, insofar as they are able,
will assume share of the great bur-
den now so valiantly borne by the
French and British armies"
This was officially stated today in
the war departments weekly war sum-
mary.
The summary declared unreserVedly
that the enemy has been unable to
force a decision" and predicted he will
be unable to do so just as long as
'the allied armies are able to maneuver
with the consistent unity and flexibil-
ity which they have shown during TIE
engagements of the last week"
Concerning the American participa-
tion-already under way-the statement
said:
American Participation
"Our own resources have been placed
unreservedly at the disposal of the al
lies and our divisions will be used If
and when needed.
OuE troops are JnolT pldCcS
in other parts of the line, thus re-
lieving veteran French units for emer~
gsncy service.
"Such of our troops as have re-
ceived a sufficient amount of train
ing will keep with the latter and inso-
for as they are able will assume a
share of the great burden now so
valiantly borne by the French and
British armies" -..E e. .....
The statement Re-echoed the conf
dence which military men here have
| constantly voiced since the German be-
gan his tremendous push.
THE period under review" said the
summary has naturally been one of
anxiety for the allies. Under the pres
sure exerted by the enemy who has
put into action picked shock units.
long and carefully trained in mobile
warfare for the particular tasks they
were to undertake, the British have
been compelled to give ground.
Field Marshal Haig, in the face OF
grave difficulties, has been able to main
tain his basic order of battle, at the
same time withdrawing his troops to
more secure positions.
I'm spite of successes gained, the
large area of terrain overrun and the
great number of prisoners and war ma
terial captured, the enemy has been
unable to force a decision.
Though the allies have been COM
PEELED TO retire and the enemy has oc
cupied some points of primary stra
tegic Importance, as long az the allied
armies are able to maneuver with the
consistent unity and flexibility which
they have shown during the engage
ment of the past week so long will vic
tory elude the enemy.
May Shift Attack
However, as the German higher
command has staked its fortunes on the
success of the spring campaign of 1918,
and is apparently determined to force
a decision or prove to it's own satisfac-
ton that it is unable to do so, we must
be prepared in case of his failure tc
obtain major results in the present thea
ter of operations, for his attempt at
further offensive assault in adjacent
areas"
whether this suggested an Italian
offensive or merely a shift to the mort
or south of the present salient was not
e4ear).
The summary noted that the French
reserves had been brought in during
the week and declared successful coun-
ter offensive is in sight.
From a tactical standpoint" said the
statement. "the most important event
of the week has been French participa-
ton in the battle. French reserves have
been hurried to the scene of action AMI
are arrayed along the southern flank
of the new salient which the enemy
has pushed out, stretching from Bars
to Montdidier
Montdidier Fighting
Fierce lighting continues in the
Montdidier area where 4 successful
French counter offensive is already out
lined in the vicinity of Lassigny.
North Of the Somme the British are
holding the enemy on the line running
from Feuchy through Boeylles, Buc-
uuoy. Beaumont Hamel, Albert to Sally
le-Sec.
ITO the south of the river, the Ger
mans are still forging ahead. The
thrusts toward Amiens is being carried
through with great Vlgor along the line
HameI- MezieTes.
Strong hostile assaults have also
been directed against the point of juno
ton of the Franco-British forces in the
hope of being able to strike decisive
blow here and roll back either the
French of British
(The junction point of the two ar
mics was selected undoubtedly because
of the fact that such a spot would ma
turally be the weaker. The mere fact
of difference in language would tend to
make the welding point less substantial
than elswhere.)
Austriaus Noted
Arrival of fresh Austrian divisions
from Rumania along the Italian front |
was noted along with important troop
movements in the Val Sugana."
"Renenew activity along the entire |
front is recorded and the Austrians
were able to conduct a successful op- |
erat ton i'm the Frenzela valley" said |
the summary. The snow is melting |
rapidly i'm the mountain areas and with |
the return OF good weather it is pos /
sible that the enemy may attempt a |
serious offensive in this theatcr."
Continued Teuton advance in Ukraine, |