The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-26
AMERICA MUST
STILL EXPECT A
LONG STRUGGLE
Germans Are Settling Down to
Grilling Drive.
Battle on West Front To Be
Continuous Struggle.
WAR MAY END ABOUT 1920
German Army Today Outnum-
bers That of Allies.
American Troops Must Be Hur-
ried to France.
War MAY END ABOUT 1920
German Army Today Outnum.
berS That of Allies.
BY ROBERT ]. BENDER.

Washington, April 26.-"America
must expect long and bitter strug-
months before a decision in the
bloody fighting there is realized.
To-day the allies are outnumbered
by their foe. The situation is seri-
Gus. The duty of the American gov
eminent, the laboring man and the
people at home is to make haste now
successful outcome is assured
This summarizes a remarkably
frank discussion of the allied war
situation by NJ. De Billy. French
deputy high commissioner to the
United States who has just arrived
from France with French officers who
were in the thick of the German on
slaughts in the west
Having failed in their original in
tention of separating the French and
are now preparing for a long, con-
tinuaI drive-and it may be many
weeks before the end is in sight.
American Man Power Needed
Talking with these men. who have
actually witnessed the recent battles
in France. one is impressed by the
tremendous earneStnesS with which
they seek to drive home the vast eff
fort necessary by America now. At
the same time the complete conf
dence they have in the future is clearly
conclusive of the German failure to
crack the morale of French troops or
people.
on America today NJ. De Billy de-
clared. England is rushing great re-
serves to France and the French are
mastering all the reserves they can.
The great reservoir. however, is in the
United States. Troop shipments from
here must be fastened to the utmost
he said
Germany Prepared for Battle
Germany is preparing to throw
every good soldier she has into the
west front battle line. according to
French information. The collapse of
sual stripping of the Russian front
forces. Two more divisions have
been recently sent to Picardy. There
are no great German forces today on
any front except the west
Next to man-power demanded to
meet this German determination,
transportation, according to NJ. De
Billy. stands out as the most vital
question. Anything that can be done
must be done. the Frenchman said. to
inspire the people and working men
of America to the crying need for
ships.
America must exert its greatest eff
fort now while the danger is acute
and at the same time prepare for con-
tinuing the struggle thru 1919 and
1920.
Allies Must Stand Together
AS for the American boys now in
France. the commissioner said. both
Generals Foch and Petain had spoken
very highly of Pershing's men.
They are well trained, as shown
by their recent fighting. They have
done well wherever they have been,''
he said.
Then one of the French majors
spoke up enthusiastically and added:
Yes. l have seen many of them.
They are as fine fighting men as l
ever saw. This country may be as
sured they will hold their own wher-
ever they are placed"
But in the face OF Germany's gil
gantic efforts, the allies must only
stand together, not afraid of the issue.
but ready to face it. united in COM
mand and purpose-and the future is
assured said NJ. De Billy.