New-York tribune., 1918-07-26
Germans
In Marne Battle;
Man Power Wanes
tBy The Associated Press,

WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE, July 25.-Greater efforts
than ever before have been exacted this
year by German army chiefs from the
troops under their command. Com
pared even with last year, when the
fighting was very severe, all their divi-
sions have been called upon to make
at least double effort.
The correspondent is able to demon
strate the terrific nature -c the task
thrown upon the German soldieys by
the desire of the German Emperor to
crush the French and British armies
before American troops arrived in sutti-
cient numbers to turn the balance.
During the last year the Germans
possessed on their Western front be-
tween 100 and ITO divisions. The most
of these were engaged twice, and some
three times, during the twelve months,
having in the meantime been reconsti-
tuted.
Vcrdun used 2 0divisions; the
Somme, 25; Chemin des DANES fight
ing, 80; Flanders, 1870; Cambria, 25, and
minor operations, 80, making altogether
370 divisional engagements.
Owing to the detection of the Rus
SLAMS from the Allies, the Germans
have been able to place 210 divisions
on the Western front this year From
January to July "a, just over six
months, these divisions have been en-
!,
has been thrown into battle on the
average twice during the half year.
With operations becoming more fire.
quent this proportion is rapidly in
creasng.
When the present battle began the
Germans had twenty eight divisions on
that portion of the field westward from
Rheims as far as Chateau Thierry Now
the front has been widened by the Al
lied attack from the latter city to the
Aisne, and the Germans have hurried
more forces into the line bringing the
total now engaged on this part of the
front to more than forty and placing a
considerable strain upon the enemy's
reserves
They still have reserve divisions
their lines, but many units comprised
tried already this year, and it is uues
tionable whether they are all sufficient
ly recuperated to participate in new
attack, should the Germana staff de-
eide to order one to retrieve the defeat
of the Crown Prince.
LONDON, July 25.-Reports show
that the German High Command has
thus far engaged sixty-four divisions
in the battle, representative of groups
of the German armies from Flanders
to Alsace These siXty-four divisions
are nearl third Of the available Ger
man army
The conclusion is drawn that the en-
! emy is being hard put to it for re-
serves, although Crown Prince Rup-
precht Of Bavaria, on the Northern
front, still has plenty of reserve divi-
sions
In authoritative circles here the view
is expressed that Germany has reached
what might be called the downward
curve IN her man power. This applies
to Prince Rupprecht's army as we'll as
TO the rest of the German army, and
1t explains why Prince Rupprecht is
not inclined to take the offensive.
This drop in German man power is
not a sudden occurrence. 1t has been
known to the Allied military authori-
ties for some time. The infantry units
have been weakened by the withdrawal
of storm troops and by heavy losses.
Nine divisions Of reserves from the
army of Crown Prince Rupprecht of
Bavaria and a division from the East
ern end of the line have been rushed d
to the aid of the German Grown Prince
htween scissors and Rheims, but. saws
Reuters spondent with the Amer
lean troops in France, the Germans
may we'll hesitate to push more troons
into the already crowded salient, seeing
the difficulty they have of feeding those
! already there