Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
FRESH ATTACK
IS PREDICTED
GERMANY HAS STAkED ALL ON
PRESENT CAMPAIGN,
U. 8. VIEW.

| W D. VIEW
Washington, d. c., April Ger
many has staked its fortunes on the
spring campaign, says the war depart
ment's weekly review of the m1lltary
situation today and the allies ana Inc
United States must be prepared Tor
fresh attacks at new points If the Teu'
tons fail to achieve victory IN the
present fighting.
GAS the German higher command
continues the statement, lis apparent
ily determined to force q decision OF
prove to its own satisfaction that II
is unable to do so, we must be prepar'
ed>in case of his failure to obtain
major results In the present theater OF
operations, that he will attempt fur'
Their offensive assaults In adjacent
areas"
But despite the successes gained by
the Germans, says the review, the
enemy has been unable to force deci-
SION" and, 80 long as the allies are
able to maneuver with the consistent
unity and flexibility which they have
shown during the engagements OF the
past week, SO long will victory eiude
the enemy"
The placing Of American resources
unreservedly at the disposal OF the
allies is noted and the statement an
nounces that "such of our troops as
have received sufficient training Will
assume a share of the burden now so
valiantly borne by the French and
British armies"
PERIOD OF ANXIETY
The review also mentions that Amer
lean troops are taking their places In
other parts Of the line, thus relieving
! veteran French units for emergency
service.
The departments statement follows:
"The period under review naturally
| has been one of anxiety tor the allies.
Under the pressure exerted by the
enemy, who has put into action picked
shock units, long and carefully trained
in mobile warfare for the particular
tasks they were to take, the British
have been compelled to give ground.
Field, Marshal Haig, in the face OF
grave difficulties, has been able to
maintain his basic order Of battle, at
, the same time withdrawing his troops
to more secure positions.
NO DECISION FOR FOE
TN spite of the successes gained,
the large area of terrain overrun and
the great number of prisoners and war
material captured, the enemy has
been unable to force decision.
Though the allies have been com
PEELED to retire and the enemy has
occupied some points OF primary
strategic Importance as long as the
allied armies are able to maneuver
! with the consistent unity and dexibil'
ity which they have shown during the
engagements Of the last week, so long
, will victory elude the enemy.
FRENCH RESERVES HELP
However,, as the German higher
command has staked its fortunes on
the success Of the spring campaign OF
1918 and apparently is determined to
force a decision or prove to its own
satisfaction that 1t is unable to do so,
we must be prepared. In case OF his
failure to obtain major results in the
present theater of operations he will
attempt further offensives in adjacent
areas.
From tactical standpoint, the
most important event Of the week has
been French participation in the bat
tle.l French reserves have been hur-
ried to the scene of action and ar
rayed along the southern flank Of the
new salient which the enemy has
pushed out, stretching from Barisis to
Montdidier.
TRAINED AMERICANS USED
"Our own resources have been
placed unreservedly at the disposal Of
the allies and our divisions will be
used If and when needed. Our troops
are taking their places in other parts
of the line thus relieving veteran
French units for emergency service.
"Such of our troops as have received
a sufficient amount Of training will CO
operate with the allies and insofar as
they are able, will assume some of the
great burden now so valiantly borne
by the British and French armies.
"Other sectors Of the western front
not within the immediate radius of
the battle zone have been relatively
Quiescent. The bombardment Of Paris
by a long range gun firing approx
mately 75 miles Is noted.
"From Italy information reaches us
that fresh Austrian divisions are ar
irving along the Italian front coming
from Rumania and important troops
movements are taking place in the
Val Sugana Renewed activity along
the entire front is recorded"
CEDAR RApJDS RIIYS