The Robesonian., 1918-03-11
HOPEFUL VIEW OF OUTLOOK
Troops and Supplies for U. S. Troops
Moving To France On Scheduled
Time-Reports From Western Front
Eagerly Scanned.

Eagerly Scanned.
Troops and supplies for General
Pershing's forces now are moving to
France on schedule time, it was lea, n
ed Thursday on high authority,
states a Washington dispatch,
which continues: While figures
may not be published, it
was stated positively that transpor-
tation requirements of the army are
being met by the shipping board and
the Immediate situation was described
as satisfactorily.
In view CT this assurance that the
United States will be able 20 maintain
its place as a fighting unit on the bat
tlefront, reports form the western
front are being scanned more eagerly
than ever by officers here for the first
signs of the 1918 campaign. It is felt
strongly that the opening Of major
operations in what President Wilson
has predicted will prove the decisive
year of the great war will not be
Eluch longer delayed.
Mud has been the determining factor
OF many previous western front oper-
ations. So long as the ground is soft
with the winter rains, it is impossible
to move forward great guns and nee
essary transport trains to support an
advancing line. Even in Flanders,
however, Indications this year are
that the ground will harden early in
spring, permitting either side to un-
dertake the enterprises planned.
In previous years April has seen CT
fensive operations set in motion by the
allies. For that reason many officials
in Washington seem to anticipate
raiding and minor assaults before the
middle of next month which will show
In themselves that the ground is being
mapped, information obtained and To-
cal strategic advantages establish he'd
by one side or the other in preparation
for great effort.
Tc others it appears probable that
no offensive will be undertaken on any
considerable scale before May l. They
found that view on reports that the
French offensive in 1916 started II
April, proved to be at least two week:
too early. The guns and transport:
could not be brought forward 70 con
solidate all the ground the troops were
able to wrest from German control.
Meanwhile. during the last few DAY:
there has been less discussion Of ;
German offensive On the western
front. There are observers IN WASH
ington who have never been convinced
that the Germans intended TO a+temp
another drive at the channel ports O
at Paris. To these officers the admit
ted concentration Of German force
has seemed defensive rather than al
offensive step. They believe that tn
German general staff foresaw grea
allied effort this year and were NOV
ing to offset it.
While much has been said both OF
ficially and unofficially Of an expecte
German offensive, nothing as to prob
able aggressive measures by the allie
forces has come over the cables. Thi
fact has attracted particular attent,o
because of the reiterated official dec
larations that the allied limb out
matches the Germans in gun and mar
power and in view of the formatio
during the winter of the supreme va
council designed to make the wal
fare more aggressive on the part {
the Allies and the United States.
A substantial American army a
ready is in the trenches on the wester
front and Secretary Baker has il
dicated there may be at least a mi
lion American troops in France durin
1918.