The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-05-13
CERTAIN DEFEAT
FOR HUN ARMY
General Foch Said to Have
Changed His Plans Be-
cause Victory is
Assured.
MOT TO USE AMERICAN i
Canadian Optimistic Tale Says the
Allies Have Germans Just
Where They Want
Them "
NOT TO USE AMERICAN

UNITED Press Leased Wire Servtce.]
WASHINGTON, May 13.Canadian
announcement that the entente will
use the American army only when 1t
becomes a powerful separate unit.
caused surprise here today.
There had been no indication OF
any shift in plans for brigading the
Americans with the allies and thus
taking away the identity of the United
States forces. In the absence of Sec
retary Baker, other odicials main
tanned their silence as to the signih-
cance Of the statement. AS Baker
was expected back from inspecting
Camp Green, Charlotte, N. c., today.
some explanation was anticipated.
The cheering factor in the publish
ed Canadian statement was its sup
remely confident air It showed q
new strategy by Foch, that of resist
ing the Germans with the fewest pos
sible troops, yielding when neces-
sary. but maintaining strong re-
serve. 1t pointed out that Germany
has massed her all, and that now 1t
is only case OF victory deferred for
the entente and Of certain defeat for
I the Teutons.
This strain Of optimism differed
from the warning Of Ambassador
Reading heard Sunday against
false optimism" This is the second
time in recent days that the foreign
British statements have failed to tai
ly with utterances from British
sources here. These conflicting views
mystify authorities here.
Especially is the Canadian an
nouncement a surprise in view Of the
recent clamor for more Americans
speedily and because under the strain
Of this appeal. General Pershing
agreed to the brigading Of Samnies
with the British and French.
If the German rs as badly of as the
entente statement indicates. or the en-
tente as we'll off as the announcement
claims, then the situation is far better
than military men here have believed
it to be.
Nothing Known offcialiy.
WASHINGTON, May 1S.-Nothing
Is known at the war department con-
cerning the British official statement
that the American army will be used
only when it comes to full individual
strength.
This was stated semi-oficia1ly here
today.
Some officials suggested that such
change Of policy might have come
about "over there" without knowledge
of it reaching the war department yet.
Some thought that American Off
GERS over there were dissatisfied with
the brigading idea and had forced
shift. Others suggested the British
were not fully pleased with the plan
and decided the allied strength was
sufficient to hold the Teutons for the
time being.
The announcem ent In view Of the
urgency of recent British and French
requests for American aid was sur
prise to all. The brigading plan was
assented to only as an emergency
measure as it involved sacrifice Of
American pride
Because of the fact that the brigad-
ing process has been under way for
some time, with at least portion Of
the American forces in Europe, Off
cials here believed Americans already
fighting with the British and French
would not be removed.
The change in plan was believed
to affect only those forces-a great
majority Of the troops now in France
which had not yet been placed in
the fighting.
Statement Is Doubted.
WASHINGTON. May 13.--Doubt as
to the accuracy of the statement at
tributed to the British war cabinet
that American troops are to be held
back until their force reaches pow
erful strength, was expressed here
today by Lord Reading, British am
bassador.
An official statement by the ambas
sador declaring his belief that no
such announcement had been made,
with the knowledge Of the prime
minister or the war cabinet" follow
ed expressions Of greatest surprise
among army men here today, as to
the reported new change in the mill
tary policy Of the allies.
Readings statement follows:
"The statement attributed to the
british war cabinet to the effect that