The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-19
GERMANS WAIT
TOSTRIKEIN FOG
Force Of 100000 Men Massed
and Ready When Mist
Hides Movements.
WILLING TO STAKE ALL
Belief That Effort to Envel0p
Allies Will Re Made South
of Amiens.

LONDON. May 1s.-It will be three
weeks tomorrow since there has been
any infantry action on the battle front
in France and Flanders other than the
minor patrol clashes and raids that
occur all the time. Why the Germans
have taken such an unusually long time
20 prepare for tho resumption Of their
offensive Is not yet clear. but opinion -
practically unanimous In the stans OF
tho Allies forces that the enemys
preparations are practically completed
and that he awaits only for suitable
weather to strike his new blow. The
weather now is perfect. but what the
Germans want apparently Is fossy'
misty conditions such - aided them 30
enormously in their drive OF March Il.
The Petit Payisiex says the enemy has
massed nearly all his best troops on the
attacking front Between the Belgian
coast and the Disc. II states, 1A0 divi-
sions (about 100000 men) have been
distributed, eighty-two on tho front line
or for direct support, and the remainder
behind the lines to be used for augment.
ing the push at the principal point OF
attack.
This newspaper says the German plan
is to threaten Amiens, cut the railroad
between that point and Clermont and
break up the allied forces. whatever the
cost may be.
Surprise Raid b. Australians.
The official statements are duller than
usual tonight even the minor activi-
ties noted are SO scattered that they az
ford no indication Of where the great
blow il to fall. Field Marshal Hatg In
his night report tells Of successful raid
by Australian troops against German
post west Of the village Of Morlancourt,
in which the Germans were taken by
surprise and twenty-one Of them were
captured, with no loss to the Australians.
The German artillery was more active
in the villers- Bretonneux sector. east
Of Arniens.
The French report violent lombard
ments last night north and south OF the
Avre, also in the Amiens region. the
earlier British statement says the Ger
man heavy guns were active last night
between Givenchy and Robecq. on the
southern side of the Lys salient. and also
near Lens, Hazebrouck and Ypres'
Berlin states that there has been much
patrol activity. leading In many cases %
violent hand to hand hghting. especially
near Lassigny, which Is on the southern
side Of the Amiens salient little west
Of Noyon. Some prisoners were taKeh'
1t 10 asserted. In this clash.
The recent assertion by the Kaiser
that the British have lost 100000 men
since the German offensive began two
months ago. although ridiculous as re-
cards the figure, has attracted attention
anew to the appalling losses OF the Ger
mans. The Germans. after calling upon
all available reserve depots In tho west
arm area, have already been compelled
to draft into crippled divisions mer
drawn from Germany itself. including
those Of the 1890 class. From this u
NAV be concluded that the demand fol
mon to replace losses has been greater
than reserve centres could supply.
soIAiers sn Reduced Rations.
The Associated Press correspond
ent with the British army In France
says many aerial battles have taker
place In the last two days and . number
Of German machines have been driver
down. The scouts have been making
extends4 flights over the regions be-
hind the allied lines. especially alonl
the Somme valley. for the purpose o.
reconnaissance.
The British batteries maintain q
steady and harsssinS fire on all roads
! and assembly places. This accurate
ossetsvsd On HAtr6 PsSs.