Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1918-04-20

ATTACK AWAITED
Daily Expected That Great Al
lied Drive Will Develop To
Smash Huns
WASHINGTON, April 19.-Evcnts
on the western battle front are shap-
ing themselves. officers here believe.
not only for defeat of the German
drive. but for counter offensive by
General FoCh's armies that may open
the road TO an allied military victory.
\ wave Of optimism swept today over
not only American officials but also
the military men OF the allied mission
in Washington. Some OF them think
il will be some days yet before Cen
oral Foch can complete his troop dis
positions for great thrust at the
enemy, but others look forward TO re-
cciying news that he has struck at
any time.
News Is Cheering
The news from the battle front was
distinctly cheering. The British lines
IN the hard-stricken Flanders front
We're holding firmly. French rein
forccmcnts had arrived there making
practically certain that the German
drive toward the channel ports from
that direction had been defeated.
At the same time official announce
mcnt came from Rome that Italian
troops were already pouring into
France to share in the crucial strug
gle there. This added to the opti-
mism for it means that the fighting
men Of France. Italy, Great Britain,
Belgium, Portugal and the Russian
units are being massed under one
leader for mighty blow when the
time comes.
Hustle Americans Abroad
There were many indications today
Of increased pressure toward getting
| American troops overseas in time to
share fully in the battles this summer
| upon which may result the final issue
Secretary Baker conferred for sew
. cral hours with President Wilson, the
regular cabinet meeting being can
cellcd TO clear the way for the con
. ference. which had to do with boti
immediate and future steps for accel
Grating American participation in the
struggle.
/ At his office later Mr.. Baker was in
conference with Lord Reading, Brit
( ish ambassador. The subject of theiI
B conversation concerned cXpCditing the
movement of American troops to the
rhcater of war.
Planning Some Change
.. As to plans for cXpcditing war pre-
parations on this side, Mr. Baker
would make no comment.
The report has been current fol
many days that William c. Potter
now in charge Of signal corps produc
ton will be elevated to a higher anC
more authoritative post with simila
duties II was rumored today. toe
that Henry Ford might be selected
to handle airplane production mucl
in the way that Charles NJ. SChwal
has been placed in charge of shiT
building.
More Than Defensive Measure
From reports of the battle progres
+. officers pointed to the appearance {
French rcinforccmcnts in the nOrtl
4 .crn sector of the Flanders line as ii
@ dicating more than dcfensiv
measure. The troops must have face
+ hard days of marching to rcac hthc
n post, but il was said that had III
/" movement been only to back up I'll
British lines, It would have been MOI
r. logical and quicker for them to haN
It gone into the south, relieving Britis
d divisions to support their Comrad'
T. in Flanders.
Many observers are more inclin,
to view the French front from MOI
didior to the south and cast as q
logical position from which to laun
b counter blows No one here profess
however. to have been able to fathc