The Topeka state journal., 1918-08-06
Berlin Newspaper Hints at Ex-
tensiye Retirement.
Huns May Take Up Positions
on Line of Meuse.
1T is MERELY A POSSIBILITY
Both Germans and AustrianS
Badly Discouraged.
Numerical Superiority of Allies
Steadily Growing.

The Hague, Aug. 6.-The Berlin
Vossische Zeitung, in pessimistic
article hints at the possibility of a
German retreat to the line of the
Meuse, according to advices here.
A neutral traveller, returning from
Berlin, declared today that the man
on the street" there is nervous and is
beginning to reckon on the ultimate
defeat of Germany. Such a retirement
as hinted at in the Vossische Zeitung
would mean the REIMBURSEMENT or
practically all occupied French terri
tory and two-thirds of Belgium The
Meuse river, rising 25 miles south of
Neufchateau, flows northward thru
Verdun, crossing the Belgian border
south of Dinant. 1t turns Sharply
northeastward at Namur, flowing thru
Liege and crossing the border into
Holland near Maastrich.
Washington, Aug. 6.-That man
power will be the determining factor
in the war and that it is incontestable
that the numerical superiority OF the
entente is increasing daily are two
admissions publicly made in Austria
which have caused great dependency
thruout the empire. according to ad-
vices reaching Washington today thru
| official channels. The admissions are
made in the Arbeiter Zeitung of Wen
| nd WHICH 6LdleS tudI lilS lCliSii oAN,
allied victory on the west front has
visibly produced a profound impress
sion among the people. The paper
states:
Allies Are Powerful.
| 'The assaults of the allies against
our new front have in no way dimin-
ished in intensity. That is fact which
gives one cause to think. With adver-
saries like the Russians the technical
superiority of the Germans was such
| that the numerical superiority of the
| Russians was of no importance. Or
| the west the situation Is quite differ
eTft. Do not let us forget that tbs
French and the Anglo-Saxons are side
by side with the Germans, the mos
civilized peoples in the world, and that
they are in a position to turn all mod.
ern technical inventions to their owr
profit On the other hand let US take
4 into consideration the invincible .piri
which animates the French soldier
the tradition of victory and glory
which only these last few years o
German history has somewhat tar.
niShed.
This spirit of the French arm,
united with the powerful organizing
ability of America gives a value to tn,
armies of the entente at the very leas
) equal to that of Germany"
German Armies Mt Bay.
BY WIN. PHILLIP SYMMS.
With the British Armies in France
Aug. 6.-The German armies are a
bay. Their full retreat toward tn
Aisne has forced them to abandon po
sitions along the Avre and Amer
rivers and near Givenchy. The Teu
rock bottom facts. First, the German
, summer campaign so far is a com
; plete f;-.lure. Second. their reserve
are badly used up. Third, they ar
equalled. If not outnumbered, by cage
forces, which are being increase
weekly by tens of thousands of abso
lutelS fit Americans, who are fidgetin
with impatience to get at the Ger
81 mans.
E Only One Card Left.
Won Hindenburg and Won Luden
: dorff, The German leaders. have onl
one card left to play and it is a card Z
doubtful value.
1t consists of a complete rearrange
ment of Il western front, suiting
] to altered conditions by shortening tn
line, and adopting a purely defensiv
strategy behind the rivers and othe
natural barriers.
This plan would involve the selectio
of one spot, where remnants of tn
armies from everywhere would b
+. collected to try for a decision.
This bid for victory. if made, mus
have the devils luck, plus all possibl
aid from the German Gott, plus larg
element OF the miraculous. Withol
these conditions. this bid must fai
after which the last spark of Gel
a many's hopes is gone forever.
Encouragement Spreads.
Over the wreck of what was ono
, the worlds greatest offensive arm
hovers today the oppressive shadow {
:. defeat. Prisoners admit there is
| | spirit of hopelessness in the Germa
camp, which Is gradually spreading I
all parts of the army.
E There is evidence that desperate e1
i forts are in progress to coerce Austri
4 to help the Germans in France wit
I neutral labor and help from Austri
.t'ontfnued m page TwoI