The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-09-06
ALLIES PRISONERS
APPROACH 100000.
Guns Taken From Germans
Now Nearing 1000.
HUNS SEEK SHORTER LINE
Moral Effect OF Allied Offensive Upon
German People And Armies Too
Great To Risk Retirement Di-
rect To Old Position.

London.-The total Entente Allied
captured on the western front since
July Is now approach 100000 prison
ers and 1000 guns. The British cap
tured more than 21,000 prisoners,
between August 81 and August 26,
while the British total losses in the
same period, including all killed,
wounded and missing, were only
slightly in excess of that figure. A
considerable proportion of the British
casualties are in the slightly wounded
class. The total captures by the Brit
Dish since August 8 exceed $4,000 off.
GERS and men and the captured guns
number nearly 600.
British military observers say it
Is now clear that the Germans intend
to retire to a shorter line on the
Western front, where they can obtain
better defensive positions against the
constantly repeated Entente Allied
blows and SO that the enemy can econ
Omize his forces, which has become
IN urgent necessity on account of his
lessening man power.
Moreover, the moral effect of any
kind Of retirement has been proved
to be very great on the German people
and armies, and the enemy's present
intention is undoubtedly to make a
stand on some line well west of the
Hindenburg line, if possible
Tho Gnrpoapc urotchiuO unru
favorable line along the Ailette, Disc.
Somme and Tortille, but it remains
E to be seen whether they will be per-
mitted to make a stand there, or even
carry out retirement, according to
plan" to this line without it being
broken somewhere else by the eager
Allied forces.
The most important obstacle to the
German scheme at present is the re.
cent British advance on both sides of
the Scarpe, which is a serious flanking
threat to the whole Hindenburg po-
sition. The British are already al
most in contact with the famous Dro-
court-Queant switch" running from
Queant to Lille.
1t is clear the Germans cannot per.
this quarter without endangering
their whole plan for gradual retire
ment to the south.
The resistance which the enemy has
been making on the west front has
varied greatly on different parts of
the hundred-mile sector on which the
battle is raging. Some German divi,
sions have been fighting with their
Old-time determination, while others
have been surrendering very freely.
While it is necessary to guard against
exaggerated expectations of German
collapse, it is nevertheless true that
the fighting of the last month has
given definite evidence of a notable
deterioration in German morale.
There also is proof of increasing
characterization and disobedience to
orders, which is very significant in an
army bearing the reputation of the
German machine. Captured orders
tell of the refusal of new drafts to
enter the trenches. Others censure
officers for laxity in dealing with Of
tenders.
According to authoritative reports,
the present uprising in Ukraine con-
tinues and serious conflicts with the
German and Austrian forces are con.
stantly taking place. The railroad
strike there has increased in serious
ness and considerable damage has
I been done by the strikers. The Ger
mans, it is said, are finding increasing
difficulty in controlling and exploit
ing the country.
In Western Siberia, the Czecho-
Slovaks continue their progress east
ward, it is reported Verckhnie
Udinsk, so miles east of Lake Bailkal;
Is reported to have fallen into their
hands. In spite of reports that Cen
eral Semenoff is powerless he has
turned up again and advanced into
Siberia.
On the Ussuri front some fighting
has been reported between the Boil
sheviki and the Czecho-Slovaks. The
japanese have put in an appearance
on this front.
In the Caucasus, the Turks have
made no further attacks on Baku. The
arrival of the British forces there had
an excellent effect upon the popula-
ton. it is said. Every effort is being
made to organize the local garrison
and place the town in suitable state
of defense