Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-14

would smash the German lines and
bring decision.
The knowledge that such a plan
was being considered has been very
closely held by the few who have
known it. 1t is certain that it has
been the subject of exchanges be-
tween the American, British and
French governments at Versailles.
SURPRISE TO AMERICANS
The announcement from Ottawa dis
placed all other questions in discussion
today about the war department. IT
the plan OF brigading American troops
with the French and British divisions
is to be abandoned, as the statement
Indicates, high officers here profess
not to know it. The movement OF in
fantry and machine gun units to carry
out the former project meanwhile has
not been interrupted.
American army officers, however,
make no secret that they welcome the
change suggested. The decision to
brigade American units with the allied
armies for operations as well as for
training was accepted only because it
appeared to be the only way to meet
/ the pressing cry for man power as the
German offensive was at its height in
the first phase.
SHOWS ALLIES CONFIDENT
It was distasteful to American Off
GERS because it meant submerging the
units and possibly loss Of the spirit
Of Initiative and dash among the
American forces upon which officers
have been relying in hoping they
would be able to turn the scale against
the Germans.
The war cabinet statement is re-
garded as highly encouraging in the
sense that it indicates that British
military opinion regards the German
attack as having passed its maximum
power
For one thing, it speaks of the en-.
tente as having reached a new policy
on American aid. The Versailles coun-
ell, or General Foch supreme COM
mander, would be more logical sources
for such announcements as the Brit
fish war cabinet is only one member
Of the group, 1t is said.
FAVoRs BRITISH VIEW
Those who are most familiar with
the subject are of the opinion that the
decision, II indeed 1t has been made,
PIVUdU1y dAICO6 1uO1C Will l1lC Views
Of the British strategists than it does
with the French, although the views
Of Generalaissimo Foch have not been
fully. disclosed here by the officials
who are cognizant of them.
There is just an indication that the
difference of opinion between two
schools Of strategists might have had
reflection in the recent British
crisis In which General Maurice. diff
ferIng with Premier Lloyd George,
made public announcement which
led to his retirement. There Is, how
ever, nothing more than chain of
circumstances to support this view
and for military reasons 1t may not
be pursued for full discussion.
no RUSH MEN OVERSEAS
The one thing that seems certain |
As that the business of rushing Ameri
cah troops to Europe will be pressed |
rathsrt than retarded and that there
will be redoubling of effort to equip |
them with all the necessary heavy ar
tillery and other engines Of war to-
quickly bring the full strength of |
great army to the battle front.
Some officials in touch with the
progress OF the draft have recently
predicted that every man in class 1
would be called to the .colors during
the summer. Roughly this means
more than 100000 in addition to
more than 100000 who, at the pres
ent rate of progress, either will be in
France, in camp in this country or
under. orders to move to environments
on May 10, the first anniversary of
the passage of the draft law.
BRITISH SHOW CONFIDENCE
The confidence Of the British mill
tary authorities that they can hold
their line until American aid arrives
In full force or at least exact such
heavy toll Of German life in falling
back that the actual advantage al
ways viii be with the allied arms, is
very gratifying to military experts
here. Some Of them are not in full
accord with the reported new plan of
making practically no use Of the
American army until 1t reaches its
bill strength.
WEST FRONT STILL