Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-03-08
Troops and Supplies for
Pcrshing's Forces Moving
to France on Time.
HIGH AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES
Positively Asserted TransDor-
tation Requirements Arc
Being Met,
BIG ALLIED DRIVE EXPECTE.
Substantial American Army
in France and Million Is
Goal This Var.

WASulNdTON. Match 7. Troops
aud suppllcs for Goncrnl rcrshlng 4
torcrs now are moving 10 France on
scEsdule time. Il was learned to-
day ON hlgh nuthorItys while
figurca may not be- published. Il was
stated positively that transportation
requirements of the army are bolng
met by the shipping board and the
immediate situation 0s 20 ships was
described as satisfactory
In view of this aasiranee that the
United states will be able 10 maintain
It's place ns fighting unit on the
battle front, reports from the western
front are being scanned more
eagerly by officers here for tho first
signs OF the 1913 campaign. II Is
felt strongly that tho opening OF
major operations In what Presiden
Wilson has predicted will prove the
decisive year OF tho war will not
much longer be delayed. Mud has
been the determining factor Of many
previous western front Operatio ms,
so long na the ground IN soft with
the winter rains II is impossible TO
move forward great guns and neces-
sary transport trains TO support an
advancing linc. o. Even In Flanders,
however. Indications this year are
that the ground will harden early,
permitting either side 90 undertake
enterprises planned.
ApriI Month for Drive.
In previous years April has soon
offensive operations set In motion by
the allies. For that reasOn many Of
ficers here seem To anticipate raid
ing and minor assaults before tho
middle OF next month which will
show in themselves that tho ground
In being mapped, information OBJ
taincd and loGgl strhtegio advantages
established by ono side or tho other
In preparations for the great drive.
To others Il appears probable that
ma. .lssss>aftant- offensive yikaase -ssssbsp-
taken before May /, They find that
view on reports that the French of.
fenAlyo In 1915 started In Apru,
proved 10 be at least two weeks too
early. The guns and transports
could not he brought forward to con
Holidato all the ground tho troopa
were able TO wrest from German
control
Meanwhile during the last few
days there has been lcas discussion
OF a German offensive on the west
ern front There arc observers here
who have ndRer been convinced that
the GermnnH actually intended 20 at
tempt another drive at the channel
ports or NJ Paris To these officers
the admitted concentration OF Ger
man forces has seemed n defensive
rather thln'an offensive step. Thoy
believe the German general staff
iuresee a great allied effort this year
and arc moving to offset H.
American Army Ready.
While much las been said both
officially and unofficialiy OF an ex-
pectcd German offensive. nothing as
to PROBABLE aggressive measures by
the allied forces has come over tho
cables. This fact has attracted par
tlcular attention because Of the re-
itorated official declarations that
the allied line outmatches the GER
mans IN gun and ninn power and IN
view Of the formation during the
winter OF the supreme war council
designed 10 make the warfare more
aggressive on the part Of the allies
and the United sthter.
A subsiantial American army AL
ready In NV the trenches on the
western 'front.' and Secretary Baker
has Indicated that there may be nc
least a million American troops IN
France during 1918.