Evening star., 1918-04-14
Ground Given Up by British
Not Greater Than Expected
Hi1denburq,s Possible PLdn--- Teut0ns Strengthen
Positions---Kaiser's Troops Told All
viii Be Over by May l.

to be to fortffy this flank firmly a803klDt
a possible counter-attack. pending the
resumption of operations at Amfen0.
Opposite this coveted city tho Ger
mans are showing much less xest to
intrench themselves, which apparently
shows that they intend to continue-the
attack here.
Role Of Gen. Cough.
From England comes information Of
the highest interest concerning the
much disputed role played by the Brit
ish fifth army, commanded BY Cen
Cough, in the offensive on March FL
This army bore the brunt OF the Ger
man attack and had to be relieved. as
every one knows, by fresh French
army in the midst of the battle. Gen.
Cough has been recalled and an Official
investigation ordered. Gen. Coughs
army held forty-mile front from
Barisis to La Fere. 1t was composed
of fourteen divisions, each OF nine in
stead of twelve battalions. Eleven di-
visions were in the line and three in
reserve.
Against them fell Gen. Won Hutiers
army of forty divisions and $500 can
non. The British were thus one man to
four and one cannon to two. The pro-
tired, but managed to save two-thirds
Of his guns.
French Retirement
| There is another bit of retrospect
| of which 1 would again speak, namely,
| the French retirement from the region
| of Coucy. The Germans seem to claim
victory here. The facts. however.
| are as follows: Early in the battle
Gen. Foch, in accordance with the
| principle of always keeping the line
| relatively straight, decided to evacuato
| the salient. which was made untenable
| by the English retirement. The evao-
| uation was effected IN perfect order.
| without the Germans becoming aware
of it. The French left few outposts
| ing 1t, supposed the salient would be
an easy prey and concentrated large
| body Of troops. who, after hard can
nonade. attacked. expecting to take the
| French unawares. The handful OF
French outposts retired slowly. DE-
Tending every foot Of ground ana being
| aided effectively by the dre OF the
French artillery. which inflicted heavy
| losses The German advance continued
| exactly to the new. French positions
| along the Ailette. but no farther: Tne
| Germans throughout were simply the
| victims of strategy.
American Participation.
Finally. what about our own menf
| Our bows are about to have their fifse
taste of real war. for the trench raids
and forays in which they have hither-
| to taken part were small matters. We
must not expect TOO HuCu &ho hosAA-
| Der of Americans available ts still
small compared to the vast bodies OF
French, English and Germans engaged
| in the great battle. Nevertheless. the
| American aid certainly Is pot neglt.
gible Our men are keyed TO high
| pitch and eager to show what they
can do. They will undoubtelly honor
| our name and tradition. A wrench OF.
fcer said to me today:
| IT have just seen some OF your baee
| teries going to the front In excellent
order. The men had a sad. serious
| look, which made a strong impression
on all who saw them. Our poilue
watched them passing With the eyes OF
! connoisseurs and did nSt hide the
sympathy they felt for thAr new com.
| panionS in arms"
| Germans Are Deceived.
So much for our own men. What
about the Germans? The truth II
simple They are beginning to be dis.
illusioned, but still are nghting hard
All the prisoners say that they were
faithfully promised that everything
would be ended by May 1. and could
then return to their peaceful homeA
After four years of war the German
soldiers are still marvelously credulouS
individuals.