Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-10-19
j. s ARMY MEN,
SAY HUN FLIGHT IS
WELL CONDUCTED
Although Movement Has Gilt
tering Possibilities 1t Is Not
Believed Enemy Is Faced
With Great Disaster,


Washington, oct 1S.-While the
German retirement in Belgium has
glittering possibiliucs military opin.
ion here is forced to tho conclusion
that what is in progress is a well or
dered and executed withdrawal, prob
ably upon prepared positions. The fact
that reports from other portions OF
the front, notably from the Lille area
and the sector southeast eff Laon also
tell OF retiremcnts, gives the move
ment indications Of a general with
drawal, but as yet no official informa-
ton has come to Indicate where the
line upon which the enemy will at
tempt TO stand, has been established.
Army officials can take no notice of
the numerous reports Of an impending
capitulatlon in seeking the explana-
ton of tho German maEruvera in the
field. They can ascribe those opera
tons TO very definite and well deveI-
oped plans of the German general
staff, 1t was said tonight that the en-
envy probably has begun the second
Pii''''' u lIt Nl'''I" N"l ~ '''' '|N''
compelled to undertake as a result or
the unwavering pressure 10y Marshal
Foch all along the battle line. Lack
ing the reserves with which to make
a stand on an extended front, it is to
be assumed that he is falling back TO a
much shortened line, whore he can
show greater resisting power.
There is reason to believe, however,
that under the hammering of the al
lied and American armies, the Ger
man high command has been com
PEELED to make "A compromise. Instead
Of holding on to the front lines until
the new front was in complete readi-
ness, it is regarded as highly probable
that the advanced positions are being
abandoned barely in time to avoid en-
crclement and the retirement being
made to defenses not fully equipped
and certainly not manned with extern
sive reserves. If such is the case the
retiring armies must turn and fight
again when they reach tho new lines.
The rapidly of the allied pursuit in
CdCn case gives no bllptl ulllkN lOl lNNN
or reorganization
The genius of the German general
staff is plainly shown the officers say,
in the skill with which the withdrawal
has been conducted thus far and it is
still evident that WeIl-orderod move
ment is clearing enemy forces out of
the Belgian coast area. The situation
-, how
ever. due to the swiftly changing ma
ture of the lines. Pursuing cavalry
may upset the German schedule and
large captures result.
Watching French Advance.
The reports showing that the French
are making progress in clearing up
the -Serre pocket, southeast of,
Laon, attracted particular attention.
here This narrow point of high
ground between the two rivers, guard
ed bv wide marshy water lines on
both fronts, has appeared to be the
bastion on which the enemy resistance
in the center rested. 1t has been rel
garded as incapable. of retention for
any great length of time. as it is sub
ject to a three-sided bombardment BY
heavy guns that eventually would
force its evacuation. The enemy madel
this sector, however, a part of the
line and has been employing
il to hold up the general advance inl
The collapse of this position pre-,
os ,i,n ,,,,o1o oantor of tho front All