The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-23
Recent Events Lead Off cials to Belief That Big
 Operations Impending
GERMAN RETIREMENT
 HAS SLOWED DOWN
Little Doubt in Washington, However, That the German Army Is Headed for the Mouse Line and
 Pause Only Temporary

wnshington October 22.--Now that | the Germans have been cleared out of Belgian Flanders and much of north ern France, army officials here are watching the battle front intently. many of them with distinct feeling that new storm attack may be about to break against the enemy. There was nothing tonight to indicate that this expectancy was founded upon definite information. and it probably grows out of a number of happenings of a minor character in themselves, but possibly important links in chain of events soon to be disclosed.
 Beyond doubt the German retirement in Belgium has slowed down. How ever, it Is not yet clear whether this is due to the fact that the retreating forces are nearing on the whole north ern front the line to which frequently has been selected by military critics as the first pausing place on the way to the Mouse or the border. or to the necessaries of extending allied commit nication lines as the troops advance.
 It is probable, officers said, that there is necessity for breathing spell on both sides.
 HEADED FOR MEUSE
 There is little doubt here that the German is headed for nothing short of the Mouse line and that any pause will be but temporary to permit read justment of the columns and supply lines in order that the same orderly sequence of movements shall charac- terize subsequent retirements. Several oba rta ed it was said. as the withdrawal pro feet is carried out. The fact that the allied armies are hampered by extehd- ing communication lines gives oppor- tunitv for such halts before Marshal Fochs forces can come up in suffi- cient force to compei resumption of the rearward movement.
 The line surrendered by the enemy from Lille to point northward of the coast, 1t was pointed out. was far stronger and no longer than that he now stands upon in Belgium. In a6di- tion by the evacuation of the Fland- CTS coast. he has furnished the aliies with means of setting up new and more direct communication lines from England via Ostend, zeebrugge or other Flanders ports Without aues- tion it is said, these avenues of sup plying the advancing armies already are heine nNenad to free the lonGef lines back into France Of that burden and consequently officers cannot see any tactical { advantage gained by the enemy unless he intends to fall back at least to the line of the Mouse
 FIRST STAGE COMPLETE
 The first stage of the retreat is almost complete. The German right flank has been swung back like a gate all the way from Solesmes, south of valen- ciennes, to the Dutch border. South of the Pistol, however. there has been lit- tie change on the front from the Disc to the Mouse It has been noted that heavy concentration of forces was made by tha Germans on the LeCateau -Oise- Serre front and also against the Ameri- can pressure northwest of Verdun Without question the retention of these lines unbroken was vital to the German plan of action. Now that the with drawal in the north has progressed so fully, however, it would cause no sur prise here if a retirement between the Disc and the Serre were undertaken without delay, to rectify the whole line
 To many officers 1t seems possible
 (Csntinued on Page Two.)