The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-10
ENEMY BRINGS UP
FRESH DIVISIONS
Indications That He Will At
tempt to Make Stand on
.Hindenburg Line.
BRITISH POUNDING HARD
Forward and Rear Areas Con-
stantly Shelled and Heavy
Toll Being Taken.

WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE,
Sept. although little strips OF
ground have been gained here and there
along the battle lines that zigzag their
way across Artois and Picardy. the
British troops generally were stationary
to-day. A heavy rain. whipped along
by a chilly wind, has covered the battle
field with a coating OF mud. This In
country badly torn UP by shells of itself
would necessarily result in a slower
movement, even II It were not necessary
for the advanced troops to consolidate
their positions.
In actions OF manPuvre such as the
British as well as the French to the
south are engaged in pauses of this kind
are inevitable.
Meanwhile fresh German divisions
have made theis- appearance in this re-
gion. 30 it may be expected that the
resistance will become sitter As a
matter OF fact not great deal OF
ground remains to be captured before
the Germans will be pushed back COM
orally speaking the British armies are
now about five miles away from the GEN.
tire Of the Germans much boosted de-
fence system.
Guns Pound Enemy's Rear.
The Germans are having a most I'M
comfortable time. for the British guns.
In addition to laying their shells on the
= a n hAtu he nrst tak. tv,f,
positions and the Hindenburg line, are
vigorously hammering the enemy's rear
The British artillery, firing on the for
ward enemy areas. has created great
havoc.
Further indications of the growing
discomfort in certain sections of the
German army have been received. A
! number of Germans recently captured
| were formerly in Russian captivity. They
express themselves most bitterly against
| their military leaders. They say they
have been told they would be used on
the line of communication. but, instead.
| they were put through the field recruit
departments and placed as infantry in
the trenches.
Many Germans are becoming increas-
ingly worried over the prospects Of win
ter. not only for themselves but for their
| families. who. in many cases, accord
| ing to the Germans who are captured,
| are near starvation.
Nearly all the German soldiers going
home on leave are taking with them to
their families whatever food they can
lay their hands on at the front and
! in as large quantities as possible. Many
captured letters to the Germans at the
| front mourn the lack OF food and warm
clothing.
Line Worries Germans.
| Some newly captured German docu-
ments disclose that the enemy Is not
quite satisfied with himself or with his
defences. and his line is literally honey
combed with deep dugouts. An order
| issued by a German General of division.
apparently acting under orders from the
higher command, expressly forbds the
| troops to occupy dugouts which descend
lower than eight steps underground.
The General appears to have been very
| much worried on the subject and goes
into great detail in ordering such dug
outs closed up. or otherwise made use
less for the troops.
The German command has discovered
that Its troops are unable to emerge
| from deep dugouts In time to meet in
fantry attacks following on lombard
ments so quickly do the allied soldiers
|
| days. Thus 1t would seem that the
Hindenburg line may require consider
able alteration.
| More fires are reported at various
places along the front, including Douai
Further confederation Of the enemy s
shortage of ammunition has been OBJ
tanned from gunner prisoners, who said
they had been receiving only limited
allotments daily.
Some idea of the state of the German
morale may be had from the following
quotations picked at random from cap
tured German documents and letters
One German wrote home. but did no,
get a chance to post the letter: II have
| been in the line for fourteen weeks
Johann is being well looked after.
wish too was a prisoner Of war;
Another letter reads: When we re-
tired two Alsatians remained behind
II they had only said they were going
to desert many more would have stayed
with them"
One message says: "Our men are
completely exhausted and can hardly
stand upright"
Another says: THE men cannot KEEP
their eyes open owing to strain and IA
tigue. They must have relief"
Still another soldier writes: we hear
that the Bavarians and Saxons no longer
| wish IN 6pbt HnU 10 n e,oipr fn and D.,