The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-01
EXPECT SWITCH TO AMIENS
London Sees Most Serious Stu.
alton of War.
Only Hope Is in Americans
Coming in TIME.

Washington, June members of
the senate military committee at their
weekly conference today with war de-
partment officials were told by Cen
eral March, actinI chief of staff. that
opinion here is that the Germans have
reached their present objective-th.
Marne-and that the probably now
will dig in and prepare for a later
drive, perhaps on Paris.
American army men today viewed
the widening western battle with more
anxiety than 1t any time since the
boche started blasting from scissors
to Rheims. With the smash now ex-
tended on into Picardy at Noyon and
with Rheims about to be-or already
sacrificed-the situation appeared
graver than at any time since Amiens
and Ypres.
The chief threat atthe moment is to
transportation. The boche already
has hit two railway lines and is striv-
ing to cut the important Chalons line.
Gripping of allied communication is
sought as a primary factor before the
drive is continued for Paris or before
a new smash toward Amiens starts.
Next Blow at Amiens.
Broadening of the German base by
extension into Picardy indicates that
the tide is destined to turn toward
Amiens. This is a key city to the
channel ports, with the very vitaIs of
the French railway system running
out of it.
The German still has great reserves
upon which to draw. The allies on
the other hand are at a disadvantage
in man. power. In the first place,
they lack men to make a vigorous
counter-stand. There are enough to
halt the boches. But the allies cannot
thin out any one spot too much, for
they are on the defensive and know
not where the boche intends to strike
London Is Anxious.
London, June 1.-The gravity of
the news from the western front is
emphasized in this mornings news
papers which comment anxiously on
the situation, altho they express hope
1ulness as to the final outcome. The
Daily News says the statement given
last night by a. military authority to
the Associated Press, in which the sit
uation was depicted as a very anxious
one, is disquieting, since it must be
however, encourages the view that the
situation is nowise past retrieving
The Daily Telegraph sees great pos
sibilities in the strategic situation.
Asserting that anxiety and stress of
the last few days are not diminishing,
it adds:
1T would appear that a second bat
tie of the Marine, of far greater in
tensity and weight than that in 1914
is opening. but in Ptally different cir
cumstances.
THE difference. however, is as much
to the advantage of the allies as of the
enemies"
The Daily Express says:
Never since the outbreak of the
war has the situation been more men
acing or have the possibilities been
graver; yet the country remains I'M
perturbed, almost Indifferent We
have become accustomed to the Ger
man attack that succeeds for a few
days and then comes to the end, with
the object unattained. We have per-
suaded ourselves this must always
happen. The argument Is false
This faith is not based on reason"
Confidence in American help is shown
in the comment of several newspapers
The Daily Mail enumerates the strong
points in favor of the allies. includ-
ing the rapid arrival of American
troops which will speedily restore the
allies preponderance in numbers
The Times also looks to the day
when the arrival of Americans will
more than reverse the present proper
tons.
America Is Coming Fast.
The American war power is grow
ing fast" it says. THE whole nation
is behind the army as 1t has never
been behind any movement yet and it
is a nation of 100. 900, 900 freemen who
have never known defeat. Until they
join us in full force our business is to
hold on. When they so join us vic
tory will be at our doors"
The Telegraph finds Substantial
encouragement" in such fact as the
American success at Cantigny which
1t praises highly as an exhibition of
mastery method of fighting. 1t places
reliance on the formidable American
hosts now preparing to engage the
enemy and adds:
1T assuredly is not written in the
book of fate that the civilization of
the western world shall go down be-
fore the arms of Germany"