The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-13
Allied Assurance of Ability To
Resist Drive Grows.
French Reserve Still Held Al
most Intact.
AMERICA TO FORM own ARMY
Brigading With Allied Troops
Not To Go On.
Marked Action Only on Italian
FrOnt-Italy Gains.
BY L w. T. MASON.

New York, May 13.-America's S
great armies now in France are not to
be used by General Foch for defensive
fighting. but are being held back for
offensive operations when the allies
generalissimo decides the time has
come for major operations against
Won Hindenburg.
The fact that the rapidly increas-
ing overseas strength of the Amerl-
cans is not accompanied by enlarge
rnent of American sectors in Picardy
and Flanders undoubtedly means that
General Foch wants American partlcl-
patton during the present period or
fighting to be on a strictly limited
scale and chiefly for its moral effect
This attitude of General Foch
demonstrates that he believes the de-
fensive of the Anglo-French forces are
sufficient to prevent the Germans
from doing any serious damage along
the west front The Americans, there
fore, according to Foeh's plan, are not
to be thrown away by engaging In
the negative work of holding present
positions but are to have the honor
of, delivering the next positive blow
for democracy against the kaiser's
forces.
Foch Not Tempted.
1t is certain that General Foch will
not he tempted to use the Americans IN
a great offensive until American man
power in France has reached its full
strength General Foch has shown
highly unusual qualities of patience
and avoidance of temptation. He can
be trusted therefore, not to waste
Americas strength in a series of sec
ondary offensives.
1t is increasingly unlikely that this
blow will fall on the Germans in
Picardy or Flanders. The Lorraine
front continues to offer the greater
possibilities of success. The capture
of Metz may represent the first great
victory of the United States in Europe.
The retention by the Americans of
their trench position in western
France strongly suggests that Foch is
relying on General Pershing's men for
major operate in that direction.
From Metz to Rhine seems to be the
road America will take to win the war
for democracy.
To Become Reserves.
Washington. May 13.-The decision
rot to use the American army in
france until it has been built up to
proportions of complete and mighty
force first disclosed to the public in
last nights dispatches from Ottawa
based on advices from the war COM
nIittee of the British cabinet, follows
a long period of consideration between
two schools of strategists which have
been contending ever since the Ger
Elan drive began as to the most eff
fective manner to use the American
forces.
From the best information that can
be gathered here. one school of
strategy has contended for using the
American forces in the battle line as
fast as they arrive and for conducting
continuous counter offensive with
the hope of ending the war in 1918.
The other. it is understood has
favored using the American forces
very little, holding them back until
fully organized with all the necessary
@f
craft and other appurtenances, and
then striking a mighty blow in con-
pection with the British and French
which would smash the German lines
and bring decision
Few Knew of Plan.
There We're no official expressions
available on the subject today. The
knowledge that such a plan was be-
ing considered has been very closely
held by the few who have known it. II
is certain that it has been the sub
ject of exchanges between the Ameri-
can, British and French governments
and undoubtedly has been discussed al
Versailles. Those who are most ia
miliar with the subject are of the opin-
ion that the decision arrived at prob
ably agrees more with the views of the
British strategiSts than ii does with
the French, altho the views of Gen.
eralissimo Foch have not been fully
disclosed here by the officials who are
cogniZant OF them.
There is just an indication that the
difference of opinion between the two
schools of strategists might have had g
reflection in the recent British crisis
In which General Maurice differins
with Premier Lloyd George made g
public announcement which led to hi.
retirement. There is. however. moth.
ing more than a chain of circum.
stances to support this view and fol
military reasons it may not be pursued
for a full discussion. The one thins
that seems certain. however. is thai
the business of rushing American
troops to Europe will be pressed rath
er than retarded and that there will
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