New-York tribune., 1918-05-21
Enemy Practising
For NeuD BlosU Far
Behind First Line
(By The ASSOCIATED Press

ON THE FRENCH FRONT IN
FRANCE, May 20-There is no direct
indication as yet where the expected
enemy attack will be delivered. The
German staff has adopted method
similar to that employed when the
enemy made his great rush on March
81, holding the front line strongly
everywhere, but grouping the first line
troops more densely in some parts OF
the front than others.
Around about Arras, General Otto
Won Bellows important army, which so
far has not participated IN the BATTLE
has given no sign of movement, but Its
presence there probably means that it
is intended for hard work. AS usual,
the Germans are gathering their ma
nnuvring army far in the rear, where
the troops are able to practise before
hand the movements they are expected
to make when called upon to follow
up the onslaught made by the troops
occupying the front lines.
Enemy Has More Men
It seems probable that this ma
npuvr;ng army is stronger, numerl-
cally, than the mass which carried out
the first rush in March, but whether
the quality of the troops is equal to
that of the earlier concentration is
questionable, as the reconstructed di-
visions must contain many elements
which suffered the horrors of heavy
fighting during many days and, there
fore, have lost some of their aggres-
siveness.
For the moment raids are frequent
everywhere, each side attempting to
.ske prisoners from whom to obtain
ANTS of the others intentions.
The Germans apparently are await
ing the return of the offensive spirit
among some of their best divisions,
severely tried during the first stages
OF the offensive, before reopenlng op-
erations.
Large numbers of their units lost
considerable portion of their electives
in the heavy fighting in Picardy and
Flanders. and, despite the fact that the
ranks have been filled Immediately
from depots in the rear strong impress
sions of the terrific ordeal through
which they passed are still retained by
them. Most of these shattered divi-
sions have enjoyed only three or four
weeks of rest since, which experience
has demonstrated is hardly sufficient
time in which to restore lighting qual-
tiles.
The German command knows this
perfectly we'll and, therefore, is holding
ing so as to have more recuperated
units available to add to those which
have not participated in the fighting
up to this time.
1t seems to be indicated clearly that
the objective of the Germans when
they do commence heavy fighting again
will be desperate effort to divide the
Allied armies by assaulting their lines
of communication.
May Extend Battlefront
1t seems probable, too, that they may
even extend the battlefront further
south and east toward the district lines
between Layon and Rheims, where the
front is we'll served by railroads which
would enable them to attempt sur
prise upon the Allies by making big
demonstration there with the intention
OF attracting General Foch's reserves,
while they carry out their main effort
further north.
The Allies, however, are well pre-
pared for eventualties. The Amer
leans are working in the greatest har-
many with both the French and the
British, and the most complete confld-
ence reigns among officers and men in
all the Allied armies.