Arizona republican., 1918-06-15
OF b|G THRUST COMING
 EXPERTS THINK
Washington Military Men
 Believe Drive for the
 Channel Ports Will Be Renewed by Huns Soon
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1


 WASHINGTON, June 1.-The pres ent lull on the battle front in France only presages a new and more violent storm of attack on the allied lines in military opinion here. The impression IS rapidly strengthening that the stage is almost set for renewal of the Ger man main thrust at the British army around Amiens with the channel coast as the objective.
 Officers Believe Know Germans Game Belief has never wavered among the majority of officers here that the real purpose of the German general staff has been from the first to cut the al lied armies apart by drive that would carry them to the channel: that ar rived at that goal, massed attacks would be hurled against the northern sector for the purpose of destroying the British army, while a strong de- fense was maintained against the French to the south. The thrusts at Paris have been looked upon as planned and executed feints designed to weaken the Amiens front before the | final effort should be made there On no other theory can these observers explain the sequence of German oper- ations in the great battle: and on no other basisothey say, can the campaign of defense waged by General Foch be understood.
 Believe Enemy Must Attack Now i Some observers believe further ef- forts are to be expected to flatten out the Compiegne salient completely be- fore the main attack is resumed If so, they argue that the next flare of activity will come along the front of the Compiegne salient where the fight ing has just paused momentari1y. Other observers are almost con- vinced however, that the situation not only permits. but demands that the enemys main attack be pressed with out delay. as American aid is coming forward more swiftly than the Ger mans possibly could have estimated ~would be the case.
 Half Million Americans in France
 Official announcements show that ap- proximately half a million American soldiers have landed in France since the German drive began. One element of General Pershing's mobile forces. by direction of General Foch. guards the way at the apex of the whole German wedge near Montdidier Cantigny. re gently recaptured from the Germans, by these forces, is very close to the point or maximum penetration achieved by the enemy in nearly three months of desperate fighting.
 Secretary Bakers reaffirmation yes terday of American confidence in Gen eral Foch was made With full knowl- edge. for Mir. Baker was in Europe, in conference with the allied chieftains. when the plan of campaign now being followed was worked out He knows Why no effort has been made to wrest the initiative from the enemy
 Americans Stiffen Allied Line
 Members of the house military com mittee at their weekly war department conference today were told that the stream of Americans steadily moving to the front has resulted in a notice [ able stiffening of the whole allied line. The Germans, it was said, apparently had encountered greater numerica strength than they expected to oppose their third great drive. and had sui fered heavier losses than they prob ably had anticipated
 Among other things disclosed was the fact that Major General Hunter : Liggett has been selected to become corps commander when the American 3 forces reach that strength, and to com : mand the first American field army : when 1t is organized. He commands l the forces in the field now.