South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-17
MORE MEN IS
VITAL NEED To
STOP GERMANS
Further Speeding Up of All
War Activities is SeC'y
Bakers Recommended
ton on His Return.
Lnternation.I - servIce:

international News Service.
WASHINGTON, April IL Fur
ther speeding up OF all the war ac-
uvities OF the United States is the
chief recommendation Sec'y OF War
Baker makes as a result or his over
seas inspection trip. Men and more
men is the great need today.
The British are lighting against
overwhelming odds But they have
not yet encountered the complete
weight OF the German war machine.
And IL is in anticipation OF that
time. the Americans are now being
brigaded with the British reserve
army in England. They already
have released many men TO Field
Marshal Haig And in proportion
to the number OF men that this
country can put into England others
will be released to reinforce the
army doing such wonderful work
in opposing the German effort to
win through TO the sea.
To Confer With Wilson.
The war secretary was expected
TO confer with the president at
length as soon as both can spare
the time. Meanwhile he has placed
in the hands OF the chief executive
preliminary report sketching the
general result Of his observations
abroad. This report contains gem
eral recommendation Specific
recommendations especially those
which have to do with war plans
will be communicated to the presi-
dent in person and very carefully
guarded But il is certain that the
war secretary has brought back 10
the president a very strong appeal
TO get every possible soldier overseas
without delay England and France
viii furnish the places for the
necessary training. But these men
are needed and they will he sent
even faster than now is being done
and the present movement is now
more than double what was believed
possible only three months ago
Haig's Situation Grave.
Because the Germans are utilizing
their entire strength against the
British. the situation Of Gen. Haig
must continue very grave. II was
pointed out again today that so far
Gen. Foch has taken no part in the
present struggle with the great re-
serve army which was created by
the supreme war council at Nersail-
les Officers familiar with the sit
uation point out that this army was
created for a specific purpose and
that apparently the time TO strike
has not vet been reathed.
TOSScS Are SpriOus
While the losses so far sustained
by the British are not considered
vital. their seriousness is frankly
admitted here The allied military
experts point out that sustained
counter attacks very likely will have
70 be directed 10 drive the Germans
from Messines ridge. IL is certain
that the Germans are driving 20 cut
Haig's railway connections and that
every possible man is being used 10
prevent this. The latest reports
received here show that the Ger
mans are still using some 100 di-
visions in their effort 10 overwhelm
the British. They are driving to-
ward HazebrouCk with every pos
sible man and gun.
officials here say that il is impos-
sibIe even to guess at this far range
what the next move OF the entente
will be They are confident. how
ever. that the understanding between
Foch and Haig is complete and that
when the proper time arrives a sur
prise assault viii come.