The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-20
Great Mobile Force at Dis
pOsal of Versailles
Council.
ALL RESERVES POOLED
American Observers Con-
vinced Germans Will Re-
main on Defensive.
ITALY THE WEAKEST SPOT
Attack There Anticipated
Any Move OF Foe to Be
Met Promptly.
ITALY THE WEAKEST SPOT

wAsHiNGToN. March 1e.--The key 10
tho 1918 riddle OF the western battle
front Is in the hands OF the Supreme
War Council at Versailles.
Decision as to tho time and place
Of major offensive by the Allies rests
with that body. II directly controls $50.
officers here believe. a new weapon
forged during the winter with which to
make effective its plans OF grand STRAIT
egy. That weapon is believed TO l!A
IN = pooling of the army reserves OF
all tho Allies armies permitting over
whelminE concentrations AZ selected
points OF attack.
American Observers now are convinced
the German high command plans a de.
fcnsive campaign and that the lons
talked of drive on Paris or the Chan
mel ports has been abandoned. The in.
!t!ative. according 10 this view, rests
with the allied and American forces
communiques are being closely scanned
for the first indication Of any offensive
operations mapped out AT Versailles.
The Supreme Council was created ur-
der the urgent inslstc1ce OF President
Wilson for aggressive action this year.
based on coord!nated plans and under
the direction of single agency. Ine
exact SCOPE Of the Councils authority
has never been disclosed. 1t was said.
both by Premier Lloyd George and by
Lord Curzon, however, in explaining the
status of the British Imperial General
Stan and the commander In the field.
Sir Douglas Haig. that certain British
forces had been assigned TO the coun-
ellis control.
May Release Reserves.
Decision by the War Council. of'lcers
here believe. as TO tho field where these
and similar forces from other armies are
to be concentrated will show where al.
lied blows at the German defences are
designed to fall. II there is to be 10
German drive as the War Department.
predicted yesterday in its weekly va
review. the Council will no. he forced tn
hold it's reserves FOR defensive purposes
and can devote this new agency to at
tempts TO smash weak points IN tho
German i.ne.
Opinion as to the sectors offering the
best opportunity FOR allied assaults
varies widely here. There is substantial,
agreement. however. that the Italian
front may in fact become the main the
atre of war this year, Austro-Germar
ConCcntrat ions and puss!bl. ofTensives on
that front, also noted by the weekly war
summary. may represent the recognition
o. this view by the German high com.
rnand.
In any event, even though the So.
prelne Council might have decided to
make the effort to break through In
Italy. IL IA believed the first moves IN the
game would be played in France and
F!andcrs Drives with all the appear
aucc az being the real oTensives would
undouhtcdly accompany or prcceds the
main thrust,
To Keep GermRns perple
The pooled allied reserves under the
direction OF the supreme Council would
make possible a campaign of such ma
, tire designed to keep the German com
mand pernieXed as TO which assaul.
would he driven home.
II the assault were 10 hc made IN
Flanders the Rrit!sh reserves could
take over trenches now held hy the
British. except on the sector of opera
tIoIs. British troops thus reiea sed would
be available Tor purposes OF attack with
Their comrades IN that sector
II additional reserves were necessary
! Gen. persh.rg might expand his from
! on the right fauh. where he ls nov
/ gradually taking over the American Sc,
I tor TIL" French troops released then
I could br shifted 20 the French loft fauL
! where Il corrected with the British line
and be readily employed rs a part o.
! the attacking force. Such operations
would involvc no !rtermiXing Of trans
! port and supply lines.
! II IS conceivable TO army officers tia
! She armies scnt To support Italy in her
time of peril are included in the forces