Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-04-04
Experts Doubt if General
FOCh'S Plan ContempIates
Attempting to HurI Germans
Back to Old Positions.
MORE COMPREHENSIVE
OFFENSIVE PROBABLE
Larger Draft Contingent Than
First Contemplated Is to Be
Called to Training Camps
During This Month,
rsv sesarss Jouss.l SPECIAL Lr,sst VIA.

Washington, April 3.--With the
battle of Picardy brought to a stnnd-
still for the time being, at least, and
the initial movement of the German
drive overcome, military observers
here were plainly puzzled tonight by
the fact that a great counter assault
had not developed. The psychologi-
cal moment of the commensurate
under the rules of strategy they think
is passing. If ii has not already pass
ed, without recorded movement of
the allied forces toward throwing
back the exhausted foe before he has
had time to dig himself in. ~.
Officers Are in Dark.
Officers here admit frankly, how
ever, that they do not know what the
situation at the front is. If any re-
port has come from Generals Bliss
or Pershing that would serve TO ex-
plain the defensive tactirs Of the nj.
lies 1t Is carefully guarded. secret
Naturally nothing would be made
public regarding such .advices, even
without Secretary Bakers order OF
yesterday shutting down absolutely
on war department announcements
regarding operations in France. That
order has served. however. to make
officers even more cautious about
discussing the situation informally.
1t was suggested as possible that
the plan of campaign mapped out by
General Foch IL of far greater scope
than would be involved in an effort
to hurl the enemy back to his old
lines. The German defenses there,
which successfully stemmed the Brit
ish assault in 1916, are still intact and
even il the allies were successful In
rushing the German lines back over
the twenty or thirty mile zone he has
wrested from them they would face
those defenses when their own organ
ization was badly demoralized by their
advance and their men showing the
wear and tear of a prolonged often
sive.
Still Expect Offensive.
For this reason some officers were
inclined to look elsewhere for the ag-
gressve campaign to which they are
pinning their faith. They have count
ed upon the creation of unified
arm under General Foch to produce
offensive operations and they see
nothing in the situation at the present
time to warrant the conclusion that
the allies have not the necessary re-
serve forces or supplies.
1t was suggested that the new pur-
pose of employing American troops
to fill out allied fighting divisions
might have some bearing upon the
situation. II General Foch Is laying
his foundations for continuous opera
tons for an aggressive character he
would need to be certain of his re-
serves and the detailed plans for en-
nlovment of American troops would
have to be worked out
Speeding up of American troop
to France is engrossns
attention here. President Wilson
held his weekly conference with the
heads of the war-making and prodrc-
ton branches of the government to-
day and 1t is understood that the ways
and means for throwing the fIll re-
sources of the United States into the
conflict this year were talked over.
VIII Mobilize More Men.
One immediate step to this end Is
known to be in contemplation. II has
to do with the calling to the colors Of
the 500, 900 men which 1t already has
been announced will be mobilised
through the selec.ive service machEn-
cry during the year. Assurances have
been given that no great Withdrawals
Of men from agricultural and indus
trial life would be made at one time.
but the indications are that state
ment now being prepared regarding
the number of men to be called out
first under that plan will show that
larger force will be modified this
month than had been ints9ded before
the. German drive altered conditions
q abroad.
The means of housing and training
the men are rapidly becoming avltl-
able and the movements to Frame
have been already greatly accelerated.
1t was learned authoritatively that
with additional British troop ships
available the war department now
has in sight transportation and sup
plies for all the men 1t plans to senf
order the constantly quickening pro-
gram.
Allies Losses Light.
Figures reaching here as to lilies
losses in the bitter days just closed in
Picardy indicate that British and
French casualties have been unexs
pectedly light In view of the scope OF
the action. One estimate heard, al-.
though its accuracy is open to doubt.
likes the total, including prisoners. at