Evening star., 1918-04-13
OFFICERS FORESEE
RALLY OF BRITISH
mo Cause for Extreme De-
pression," Is Opinion of Lo-
cal Strategists.
SUPREME EFFORT NOW ON
SUPREME EFFORT NOW ON

Realizing fully, as Gen. Haig stated,
fhat this Is a "critiaI moment" for the
alIied cause, officers in Washington
ce1alaaae no cause for<extreme depres-
xer the progress Of Germany's
crate thrust at the British forces
in France.
While Gen. Haig's statement gives
the impression of critical stage in the
allied defense, they say. 1t bears evil
dence OF raliying CRY TO Briush
fort resulting in throwing back the sec
ond tremendous drive q the Germans
since they started their spring ofren-
sive.
hours was marked by German advances
at some points, these had been dis
counted The only strategic point gained
by the enemy was the obtaining OF a
foothold on the Messines ridge, and re-
ports toward noon indicated that the Brit
point
AS one officer put it, 'The most depress-
ing thing about the days news Is Gen.
Haigs statement" and the reasons for
that statement in crisis like that now
impending, though unknown here, prob
ably are connected with the allied plans of
counter attack, officers think.
Army MOVING 6dp1Oly.
One phrase which might seem to in
dicate a damaging admission of weak
ness, to the effect that THE French
army Is moving rapidly and In great
force to our support" does not neces-
sarily mean. it was pointed out, that
France is sending reinfoEcements to
the present scene of English resistance,
but that she may be contemplating a
counter attack on a large scale, which
n n
other quarter.
In this connection it was estimated
by one officer that the British now have
on French soil approximately 100000
men, a number as great as the entire
force of the Germans now engaged on
the western front. The British total, of
course. includes green troops sent to
France since the spring drive began,
which are of use in filing in on quiet
sectors.
Little credence was placed here in
the reports of contemplated naval Of
fensive on the part of Germany. II this
is her purpose, 1t points to German
weakness. some officers believe, be-
cause 1t long has been held here that
the only occasion upon which Germany
would risk her vessels amid the Brit
ish protection in the North sea would
be when her forces had reached a stage
when reinforcements from England or
from the United States would induce
her to do SO.
If Germany reached such a pass it
was explained, she might be expected
to send out fast cruisers in the hope
Of waylaying transports bearing rein
forcements. Such course would mean
ultimate loss of her vessels, either by
destruction or by their internment in a
neutral port If they sought refuge
there.
Landing Of Troops Unlikely.
Landing of German troops on French
or Belgian soil by use of naval vessels
is considered an impossible accomplish
ment.
To some officers Gen. Haig's statement
indicated that he had adopted one of
two courses. The first is that of de-
termined stand where his troops now
are placed, and a resistance of any
further German advances at any cost.
Another was a counter offensive of his
own Independent Of the one on a larger
| scale which Is expected sooner or later
from the joint allied forces in the
region of the Somme.
There are elements of advantage In
| the situation as a whole. 1t was pointed
out, which are favorable to the allies
| For one thing Germany has sustained
! such heavy losses and paid SO heavily
| for the gains she has made, both be-
| fore Amiens and AEmentiefes, that II
I, is believed she is practically without
| fresh troops on the western front q,
the present time. Whole divisions have
been decimated and deleted, thrown to.
1ether and rushed back to the battle
| line, time and time again.
Unless the belief IN the allied army
! Of reserve is groupdless, the allies
| have a reserve OF some 500. 900 troops
with which to conduct their majol
counter offensive when ready. Though
q large portion of these now are befr1e
used along the lines for defensive pur.
poses. they have been in Quiet sectors
and are believed to be in good condi-
ftion.
transportation Not Checked.
Nowhere have the Germans pene.
trated the allied lines far enough, 81
they had hoped, to interfere seriousiy
with the British and French trans.
tportation of men and supplies. Az nov
placed the allied forces, munitions and
/ supplies are far more mobile than thos4
l of the Germans, which must be trans.
Ipoxted patty over around she'll tori
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