The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
GREAT DRIVE SLACKENS.
WARS GREATEST BATTLE EN.
TIERS SECOND STAGE.
Washington Experts Think Defense
Against Drive of Germans Stiffcns
Daily-Allicd Reserves Still Avail
able for Blow When Huns Near
Exhaustion.

man drive at the British lines ap-
peared to be slowing under the policy
or elastic defense pursued by Field
Marshal Haig, according to the opin-
ION OF allied and American army Off
GERS here, based on the official state
ments from London, Paris and Berlin.
The greatest battle of the war, thus
far, they believe is entering it's second
stage with the German forces facing
an increasing stubborn resistance.
The outcome of this stage may not
be discernible for several days.
The attitude of American military
authorities was stated by Maj. Gen.
Peyton G.. March, acting chief OF
staff. He said:
"The war department sees no
cause for alarm on the part of the
people of the United States. Sir Doug
las Haig has announced that the Brit
ish withdrawal was in accordance
with a definite plan. This announce
ment is to be accepted"
Similar confidence of the ultimate
defeat of the German effort was ex-
pressed by Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood
before the senate military commit
tee and Maj. Gen. MacLachlin, Brit
ish military attache, voiced the feel
ing of British officers here as to the
work Of their comrades in France in
statement that nothing resembling
break in the British lines yet has
been accomplished by the German
rush.
Repeated reports of the participa-
tion of American troops in the Berlin
reports presumably with the French
on the British flank caused General
March to- say that neither General
Pershing nor General Bliss had re-
ported on the point.
There was much speculation here
today as to the purpose Of the Ger
man leaders in pressing the main at
tack in the direction of Amiens.' The
capture Of Nesle, admitted in London
indicates this to be the apex of the
great wedge that is being forced into
the British lines near the point where
the British and French forces con-
meet. o.
The question raised was whether
the German plan contemplated swing
ing to their right toward the coast
designed to hem up all British forces
in u restricted field of operations with
the channel behind them; or Il sweep
toward Paris to their left front. AS
Yet the developments reported do not
indicate the ultimate objective.
One view expressed was that a blow
elsewhere might follow the check
inS Of the present drive or even ac-
company it, Advices from Italy have
indicated enemy concentrations on
that front for some time past. At
tacks along the French lines do not
appear to be more than fcints at pres
ent calculated TO keep the French
from weakening their lines too far in
sending supporting divisions to their
left flank.
Officers here think the enormous
forces concentrated in the drive at the
British front precludes the possibil-
ity of a major offensive by the Ger
mans elsewhere in France In Italy,
however, masses of Austrian troops
taken from Russia are available to
strengthen the Austro- German forces
FOR Il big movement. Captured Rus
| sian guns might be used to good ef-
| feet, it was said. The only Austrian
forces noted on the Western front are
artillery units.
Mention today of the allied strate-
| gic reserves, not as yet engaged caus-
ed some doubt as to the probable de-
velopments if the British as is eX-
pected, bring the German drive to a
| halt within a few days. A temporary
lull while the Germans bring up artil-
lery is TO be expected ut any time.
If the front of the British proves
too firm to be broken, however, ant
officers here have no doubt that il
viii, the Germans eventually viii
reach a point of exhaustion both o.
men and supplies which will brinl
them to standstill. That would bC
the psychological moment for q coun
ter drive and the strategic reserves o
the allies would be kept in order t.
have them ready for such move
ment.
The German wedge is narOwini
and unless they are able to widen i
they can not expect to retain its ape