South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-04
Hun LINE MAY
Be FROM METZ
To AN 7 WERP
German Retreat Will Likely
Result in Strengthened and
Shorter Front For De-
fenSive Purposes.
BY JOHN EDWIN NEvIN.

y
International News Service:
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4-That
Germany is retreating to a line ex-
tending almost straight from Ant
wern to Metz. and will be forced to
surrender more than half of Bel
GUM, was the belief of military ex-
perts here today. They declared that
the sole hope of Germany now was
that she would be able to prevent
a military catastrophe until cold
weather came 10 her rescue.
Then in prepared positions. with
their front materially shortened the
German army would endeavor to
maintain an unbrOken front while
the diplomats resumed their maneu-
vers in an endeavor to get peace
terms that would suit them. Such
a movement, army men say, might
furnish German troops that could
be spared to strengthen the Austrian
morale and possibly assist in a
movement in the Balkans.
May Strike i'm Winter.
However. there Is a growing be-
lief here that winter will afford lit
tie relief to the Germans. The united
allied armies, striking with mathe-
matical precision, can be expected
to continue their pressure in any
and all weathers. And il is by no
means sure that Germany will be
able TO withdraw her armies and
war materials if that is her inten-
ton.
Socialists Gain Power
Officials here today after en-
phasizing the great Importance from
the allied viewpoint of the military
situation called attention again TO
the fact that the central powers are
also involved in a political compli-
cation that may bring about real
surprises. The fact that the socialis-
tic element in the Austrian chamber
OF deputies was able to stampede
that body in favor Of peace along
lines very similar to those enunciat-
cd by Pres't Wilson and that the
majority element was unable 10 pre-
vent open bitter criticism of the
German position throws a bright
light on the exact conditions within
the dual empire.
Will Demand Aid
It increases the belief enterta ined
in diplomatic circles here that Ger
many will have a very difficult task
in holding Austria in line for her
war program Many we'll informed
diplomats here rivately declare that
they look for Austria TO demand mil
itary aid from Germany which will
be impossible for that nation TO fur
nish and then TO institute peace ne
gotiations on the excuse Of self
preservation"
The very fact that the kaiser has
at last been forced 10 accept Prince
MaXimilian OF Baden as imperial
chancellor lends color TO this belief
Emperor William has never lost
sight of the fact that Prince Max.
as he is best known. has been a 20 o.
tential possibility for the throne Of
Germany should the liberal element
ever be able to force an end TO the
Hohenzollern dynasty. That he
should now with military disaster
facing his armies in the field and
revolutionary mutterings swaying
the people at home. call on the
Baden prince TO take the helm OF the
German nation is declared by off,
cials here 10 show that at least
the kaiser realizes that Pan-Ger-
manism is dead. Prince Max is
thoroughly hated by the German
military leaders because OF his
moderate views.