The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-08-19
FRIDAYS REPORT OF THE WAR

the assigny Noyon line from the Disc to north of Las sgny. The Germans continuing their stubborn resist and making the French fight for every foot of ground which they take Many fresh troops have been brought up by the Germans in effort halt the aes but the whole the German line is steadily being pressed back The retreat of the Germans especially rapid in the vicinity of Thiescourt which about three miles to the southeast of assigny and branch of the Dvele river The retreat of the Germans will take them the De- vile river, where is expected that they will attempt other stand.
 Along the entire battle line from the Avre river to the Disc the artillery fire is terrific with but little being compshed by the Germans The allied airmen have made very few observations of the results of the fire from the tllery of the allies
 GETTING READY FOR BIG BATTLE
 PARIS Aug. 15.-Indcations are that both sides are getting ready for the gigantic struggle for the possession of the territory to the north and south of the Soe river
 The Germans bringing all available troops up and apparently have called the Austrans furnish large number the assumption that the allies making their big attack from the west and that the Austrian frontiers for the time being not in danger The allied leaders not expressing fear of the Austrian do they think that there any chance for the Huns gather enough troops to seriously hamper the operations of the allies
 The allied leaders, while not drawing very heavily on their reserves, making every effort strengthen the positions which they now hold by putting bombproo shelters perfecng lines of communication laying in sup ply of ammunition and placing more
 HUNS PREPARING BIG RETREAT
 FRENCH HEADQUARTERS, Aug. 15:-Captured documents and from foreign countries show that Gen. cral Hans Boem the great German specialist has been placed in complete command of the German forces the Somme front There many views of the change ill leadership but the majority of the authorities agree that his appointment is significant of general retreat posi- tions winch being prepared and from which the Ger mans believe they start successful offensive movement believed that the great efforts of the Huns for the pres ent will be to this retreat The withdrawal in the region to the north of Albert where several important villages evacuated without struggle is looked upon the first application of the tactics of the noted treat strategist. A,,o T appeared before the military committee and stated the aims of the administration Only part of what he said made public The keynote of the informal tlon given that America had to the and that it would most likely be the front Although he is willing to admit the possibility of the decisive blow being hit from the Italian Albanian frons he believes that the big fight staged for the and that the winner there will be the victor in the war.
 When asked concerning the number of troops necessary to win the war, he stated that four million Americans on the western front could smash the German lines any time and hurl the Huns back into their territory in such state of confusion and weakness that they could in time to prevent the allied forces from passing into and through Germany they might wish
 Plans which have been made by the administration discussed and developed that the leaders have plan ned for three million soldiers be at the front by the first of July. It is planned have many more than that number under arms probably the full five million for which plans being made but many will be at oher points working for the allied interests
 At the the program far ahead of schedule and General March feels that if desired the three million may be increased but that the rate of shipping to France will be allowed drop off and will be sent the eastern and southern theatres of war.
 NEW DRAFT MEN IN FRANCE NEXT JUNE
 WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug 15.-Of6cals expect that the army of five million men will be rapidly nducted from the draft lists which will be provided by the proposed b The first draft from this list will probably be large the training camps accommodate and their training will be rushed rapidly possible that they may be n readiness enter the fighting early year. large percentage of those who called for active service under the proposed draft of from eighteen foryfve will be n France ready to fight by June first
 Every possible effort will be made have the men thoroughly familiar with all weapons of and well equipped with the latest and best materials of warare