Evening star., 1918-07-13
INTERNAL TROUBLE
HA[TSF0ES' ATTACK
Officials Here Believe Dissen-
Si0ns in Central Powers
Cause Delay.
FOcH STILL "NIBBLING"

teEeu SERIOUS ooetacleS IN pressing the
offensive on the western front is gain
ing ground in the minds Of some Off
cials here. They cannot believe the
renewal of the attack would be de-
ferred voluntarily when 1t would seem
that each days additional delay works
against the ultimate success of the
purpose to which the Germans are
committed. that of forcing a military
decision this year.
Others believe that the delay may
be due to a deliberate plan by which
the enemy hopes to lower the morale
of the allied forces. Other drives
have been advertised to begin long
before they were launched. The Ger
man idea has been that uncertainty
causes anxiety among its opponents.
creates tension, and leaves men In a
strained and nervous state because
of the long wait for something to
happen.
Secretary Baker in the Dark.
Secretary Baker said that nothing
definite is known here about the Ger
ever. that the time that has elapsed
\ since the last German effort and the
| failure Of the enemy to react against
repeated successful local counter at
tacks by French, British and Ameri-
| can troops we're accepted as conclu-
| sive evidence that the German onen-
sive was being held in check by some
consideration other than the purely
practical one of preparing the storm
| troops.
Meanwhile the steady pressure of
local operations by the allies along
the entire battle area from Ypres to
Rheims continues. Not a day has
which some territory has not been
wrested from the enemy. and II is
reported that nearly 5000 prisoners
have been taken. The similarity OF
French and British armies is taken
here to Indicate that the ''nibbling'
process Is part of q definite plan
being carried out by Gen: Foch. su-
| preme commander. probably to ha-
rass the enemy in his preparations
and feel out the German lines to To-
cate the points from which he plans
to strike.
Varied Opinions on Delay.
Opinion varies as to the possible
causes of the German delay. Beyond
doubt the collapse of the Austrian
offensive in Italy and the disastrous
results to the Austrian army have
great bearing The Hood of reports
of hunger. dissatisfaction and ever
niutiny in the Austrian army. coupled
| with civil food riots at various points
the upheaval of the ministry OF tht
dual monarchy. the further confusion
in Russia and the fact that Germany
itself is passing through a ministeria
crisis are pointed to as justifying the
assumption that internal conditions
arc holding up the German naa,arlsei,,. ar1vei
It is argued, and there is no shortage
Of manpower or munitions to be dealt
with, it is obvious that the internal
situation of the central powers Il
| serious. It is not generally believed
that there are other reasons that
| could have induced the German gen
eral staff to hold UP its offensive In
France when in full stride and thus
give the allies time for rest and re-
cruitment and America time to rush
additional troops to France to aug
ment the million there on July 1.
Albania News Welcomed.
Little is known here of the purpose
Of the Franco-1talian operations II
Albania. The rapid progress there
| is welcome news. but as yet 1t does
not appear to officers here that any.
thing which would serve to affect the
situation on the western front is tc
be expected in this area.
Pending the renewal of the German
drive in France or the launching oi
a great counter attack there. atten-
tion is centered largely upon the Rus.
sian problem as it faces officials here
1t is perfectly clear that American
military opinion in Washington. botf
Army and Navy, is virtually uni,
in believing that nothing should bs
allowed to divert military efforts from
the west front.