The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-04-24
ALLIES REGAIN CONFIDENCE.
WASHINGTON MILITARY NEN
EXPECT GEN. FOCH TO AT
TACK.
German Drive Having Failed With
Tremendous Loss Allies Should Now
BE i'm Position to Turn the Tables
OH Them.


Washington, April 19.-Events on
the Western battle front are shaping
themselves, officers here believe not
only for defeat of the German drive
but for a counter offensive by General
Foch's armies that may open the road
to an allied military victory.
wave of optimism swept today
over not only American officials but
also the military men of the allied
missions in Washington. Some of
them think il VIII be some days yet
before General Fo n can complete his
troop dispositions for a great thrust
at the enemy but others look for word
that he has struck at any ti.ae.
The news from the battle front
was distinctly cheering. The British
lines in the hard stricken Flanders
front were holding firmly. French re.
inforcements had arrived there, maxi
ing practically certain that the Ger
man drive toward the channel ports
from that direction has been defeated.
At the same time official announce
ment came from Rome that italian
troops were already pouring into
France to share in the crucial strug-
gle there. This added to the optimism
for it means that the fighting men OF
France, Italy. Great Britain, Bel
gium, Portugal and the Americas n
units are being massed under one
leader for mighty blow when the
time comes.
There were many indications tod ay
Of increased pressure toward getting
American troops over seas in time to
share fully in the battles this summer
upon which may rest the final issue.
Secretary Baker conferred for sew
eral hours with President Wilson, the
regular cabinet meeting bng can
celled to clear the way for the con-
ference, which had to do with both
immediate and future steps for ac-
celebrating American participation l.:
the struggle. 1t was the first oppor-
tunity Mr.. Baker has had to presen,
fully to the commander in chief his
report on his trip along the fighting
lines. At his office later Mr.. Baker
conferred with Lord Reading, British
ambassador. The subject of their con
versation was not stated but it S
| known to have concerned expedit.
ing the movement of American troops
to the theater of war.
AS to the plan of expediting Of war
preparations on this side, Mr.. Baker
would make no comment. He said he
was not ready to make any announce
ment as to the aviation program OF
organization. The report has beer
current for many days that William
c. Potter. now in charge of sigma
corps production. will be elevated &C
:" POS@S Will uutlcS. IL W1s
rumored today, too, that Henry Ford
might be selected to handle airplauo
production much in the way that
Charles NJ. Schwab had been placed
in charge of ship building.
From reports of the battle progress,
officers pointed to the appearance q.
French reinforcements in the north
ern sector of the Flanders line as in.
dicating more than a defensive meas
ure. The troops must have faced
hard days Of marching to reach thei,
post, but it was said that had the
movement been only to back up the
British lines it would have been more
logical and quicker for them to have
gone into the south, relieving British
divisions to support their comrades in
FLANDERS. Many observers are more
inclined to view the French front from
Montdidier to the south and east as
the logical position from which to
launch cOunterblows. No one here
processes to have been able to fathom
General FOch's plans.