Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-10-25
AS SEEN IN WASHINGTON.
Army Officers Are Looking TOR Be-
ainninq of New Attacks.

40 NV
Army Officers Are Looking for Be-
ginning of New Attacks.
Now that the Germans have been
cleared out of Belgian Flanders and
much of northern France, army off,
GERS in Washington are watching the
battle front intently. many Of them with
distinct feeling that new storm OF
attack may be about to break against
the enemy. There is nothing to indi-
cate that this expectancy Is founded on
definite information, and 1t probably
grows out OF number OF happenings
of q minor character in themselves,
| but possibly important links In cham
of events soon to be disclosed.
Beyond doubt the German retire
ment in Belgium has slowed down.
However it Is not yet clear whether
this is due to the fact that the retreat
Ii ing forces are nearing on the whole
northern front the line which fre-
uuently has been selected by military
critics as the first pausing place on the
way to the Meuse or the border, or to
the necessities Of extending Allied
communication lines as the troops ad-
vance. 1t Is probable. officers say. that
there is necessity for breathing spell
on both sides.
There is little doubt that the Ger
man army is headed for nothing short
of the Meuse line and that any pause
will be but temporary to permit read
justment Of the columns and supply
line in order that the same orderly Sc
ouence of movements shall character
lize subsequent retirements. Several
halts of this character may be expect
ed, it was said, as the withdrawal pro-
tect is carried out. The fact that the
Allied armies are hampered by extend
ing communication lines gives oppor-
tunity for such halts before Marshai
Foch's forces can come up In sufhcieht
force to compel a resumption OF the
rearward movement.
The line surrendered by the enemy
from Lille northward to the coast II is
pointed out, was far stronger and no
longer than that he now stands>upon
in Belgium. In addition by the eVacu-
alton of the Flanders coast he has fur
nished the Allies with means OF set
ting up new and more direct commu-
nieation lines from England via U.s.
tend, Zeebrugge or other Flanders
ports. Without question, 1t is said'
these avenues Of supplying the ad-
yancing armies already are being open
ed to free the longer lines back into
France OF that burden and conse-
ouently officers cannot see any taeucai
advantage gained by the enemy unless
he intends to fall back ut least to the
line Of the Meuse.
The first stage Of the great retreat Is
almost complete. The German right
flank has been swung back like gate
all the way from Solesmes south OF
Yalenciennes to the Dutch border'
South Of the pivot, however there mas
been little change on the front from
the Disc to the Meuse. 1t has been
noted that heavy concentration OIL
forces was made by the Germans on
the LeCateau- -Oise-Serre front, ana
also the American pressure northwest
Of Verdun. without question the re-
tsntien of these lines unbroken was
vital 10 the German plan OF action
Now that the withdrawal in the north
has progressed so fully. however, IL
would cause no surprise II retire.
ment between the Disc and the serre
were undertaken without delay to rec
tify the whole line.
German Plan In Danger.
To many officers 1t seems possioie
that now events have 80 shaped the
line that a great drive may be under-
taken calculated to upset the wnoie
German plan Of retirement.
Already the Allied lines have been
shortened 50 that considerable forces
must be available for the work par
ticularly British. The time can not DC
far away also when the American sec
ond army under General Bullard VIII
be put into play.
To some observers 1t seems possible
that wide attack may be made by the
two American armies, both east ana
west Of the Meuse, the thrust being
aimed at the great rail artery PASSING
through Sedan and Montmedy. A CO.
operating French assault west OF the
Argonne would naturally be part OF
such a thrust.
To other officers, however. recent
Frehch raiding operations In Asace
seem to have significance. Apparently
information is desired as to the Ger
man strength on that front and as 70
the character and quality Of the troops
here. Such raids invariably preceoe
offensive operations, although they
rarely disclose by their locality the
exact place Of the proposed attack.
So far as the German peace over
lures are concerned. army officers hold
that manifestly now Is the time q
times for q new and crushing blow.
With the hope Of early peace being
dangled before the eyes Of the war
weary German troops their morale
will be at its lowest, 1t was said. while
to the Allied and American ranks the
round about German admission Of de-
feat can only have given new zeal for
the fight.