Evening star., 1918-07-14

irred the American people pro-
them. Looked at from the side
erformance, it will remain men,
greatest of all wars, and it is a
1t we expected of ourselves, but
yet it is not on this aspect OF the
care now to lay emphasis, when
md our enemy continues danger
ous, certainly not yet defeated.
any means. have been engaged in the
several offensiyes.
Against this mass what were the
allies able to oppose In March? And
IN March we we're for all practical
purposes out OF 1t. The organized
France. using German reports. has va
ried from sixty to seventy divisions.
A British division should have about
$4,000 men, but, accepting the figure
OF sixty divisions and the strength
Of $4,000 for the divisions, the Brit
ish had around e0a.080 men in line
whsn Hindenburg began on March Il
Complete Allied Strength.
The French. ON their part, had some
ninety divisions, reckoning q division
ut $1,000, and, allowing for weakness
In some Of these divisions, they must
still have counted at least 1,t6o.eo
ON the line or In reserve, ready for
line seryios. A. for the Belgian9 they
have had six divisions In line for sew
eral years, and must number at least
1s.eoe %. despite their small facil-
tiles Tor recruitment, their losses have
been slight. Two Portuguese divi-
sions, numerically very strong, COM
plets the list.
We have. then, 100000 British and
colontals-1 am certain, as Q matter
OF fact, that the total was nearer
200. .oeo-1,250.000 French and some
and Portusuese-in all 1850. 900 allied
troops. against 2.50e.0e0 Germans in
line. or In reserve, and some 250.000
more probably marked for ultimate
use on the western front. 1t seems to
me that on March 81 the Germans could
western front, and the allies certainly
not less than 2.25o, ,00e. and probably not
less than 1850, 900.
Superior Hun Forces.
This would mean that the immedi-
ate disparity in numbers was not
above 2s8.800 at the most. and prob
ably not more than 10000. Bear in
mind, however, that at this time the
was only one of the handicaps of
our allies; division of command mate
rally lessened the value of the num-
bers actually in hand and contributed
to the first disaster. which was the
battle of Picardy. But in addition to
moment, the allies were bound to look
forward to the time when another
250. 0.0e0 would be added to the German
numbers by the arrival of other divi-
sions already marked for use be-
tween Switzerland and the sea.
In this situation the allies could not
increase the number Of their divisions.
It takes time-many months-to
create new divisional units, with the
necessary officers and organization.
Thus, II the French have 1,250.000 in
their hghtins army. they must keep an
by casualties, and the British situa-
tton is the same, of course. It is
Misrepresentation of this detail which
contributes SO much to the general
coafuston when numbers are men
toned.
German Divisions Smaller.
The Germans, to be sure, did in
crease the number Of their divisions
as recently as last year, but they did
this mainly by reducing the strength
OF each division. and they were seek
Ing greater mobility. Actually they
did not much increase their numbers,
although they did q little of this. AZ
1t stood In March. Foch, when he took
over supreme command, could not
reckon on more divisions. derived
from British or French sources dur
| Ing the campaign, save as troops were
| recalled from Italy and Salonid or
drawn from British home garrisons.
And ths defeat at Picardy cost the
were practically destroyed.
At best. with all reserves employed
Fech could not bring his number or
organised units rnuch above 2,26O,00
or any above 1850. 600, while he was
bound to expect to have on his hands
at one time or another some 2,60e. 600
Germans already in sight; plus g5o,ooe
and the French armies could replace
wastage, In any event up to total
loss Of 1.600,ae0. by drawing upon the
unorEsnized reserves In the depots.
1t was With this situation clearly In
mind that the first appeal was made
to America. the appeal made in March,
which by July had been answered By
in France, at least S5e,0ae Of them
fighting men. Now, IL you reckon al
He'd and German troops alike upon the
bss!s Of the strength Of Q German
division. the Germans had availabie
for. the present campaign 225 d.
ytsions; our allies. Without US. not less
than 1ss nar more thsa 1ss; The per-
where between twenty-nins and
thiFty-seyen divisions.
American Strength Added.