New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-04
rxperts Expect Foch to Use
New u. S. Army for Stag
gering Blow Soon
Foe Disorganized
By Allied Attacks
Entire Line, in Washing.
tons View, Shows Signs
of Going to Pieces

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3. Reports
Aor the British front to-day indicated
al. officers here that the German re-
cement. heretofore conducted with ut
est military skill. was getting out of
a,d Under the terrific pressure Of
,ho British and French armies all
LONG the line from Ypres to scissors.
he enemy apparently is being forced
n more precipitate withdrawal, par
,;cularlv on the old Drocourt- Queant
won't where Marshal Haig's men ham
r,ered forward irresistibly again to-
day.
The official announcement from Lon
don that more than 10000 prisoners
have been taken in one day of fighting
m this front, in itself indicates. it is
said. that there is growing disorganiza-
ton in the German ranks.
With this in mind, there was wide
speculation to-day among officers as
10 what new Developments Of the bat
lie are to be expected
American Blow Predicted
1t was clearly evident that observers
relieve the time is fast approaching
when General Pershing's first field
army viii participate in the battle, on
the theory that General Foch has been
withholding this new and vigorous
icrce for decisive blow when the time
vas ripe AS to where or when that
blow would be delivered. however,
there was wide variance of opinion.
Marshal Haig's forces are moving
on Cambria, the key to a large sec
ton OF the old line, and if that place
is taken it appears to officers here
that the enemy will be quickly forced
10 evacuate the salient in which he is
rapidly being pocketed by the French
and American advance on the Disc
Ailette lines i'll the south and the Brit
ish thrust eastward from Peronne to
the north.
So evident is the growing disorgani-
zation among the Germans shown in
reports from the British front that
some officers are inclined to think it
nossble that the enemy may be forced
to withdrawal to the Rhine this wear.
Others, however, feel that the skill the
German leaders have displayed does not
warrant any prediction of an early col
lapse OF the military machine.
Americans Picked Force
The American army is a picked force
composed of the prime fighting man
hood Of the nation and allied with ar.
DOR for the battle. 1t forms. officers
here believe, an ideal instrument with
which General Foch will be able tc
he deems the field ready.
The present fighting, in this view
Is preparatory to the delivery of such
blow, and it now appears probable
10 many observers that it will be de
yered soon, and probably in a regior
10 the east of Rheims or of Verdun
where the concentration of enemy re
serves to meet it will be the most diff
hcult because Of the bitter fighting ir
Flanders and Picardy.
In connection with the evidences O.
weakness noted in the German war ma
chine in the last few days, an offcia
dispatch to-day from France quoting
captured German documents showing
the great wastage of men in the
enemy's ranks was received with pc
culiar interest According to these
papers, a typical Germany infantr,
battalion in March. 1918. when the Ger
man drive was launched, consisted Of
$50 men. On July l this had been re
duced 70 $50, and a telegram from Ger
quests opinion from line officers as t.
further r-pI11rtiOp