New Britain herald., 1918-05-25

Ism O11lClal statement OF the close con-
nection between the Sim Fem and
German influence is in the hands of
| the British and American govern
ments, it was stated officially here to-
day. Arrests are to be made soon in
| this country and possibly additional
arrests in Ireland
Before the German army stands Il
force that has been largely rehabiH-
tated since the shock of the drive fell
upon the British and French fronts
and bent them back by weight Of
numbers. Losses in men and material
have been made good. The armies are
keyed to high pitch of enthusiasm.
American man-poWer sufficient to
replace by far the larger portion of
the losses of the British and French
in the bitter fighting which stopped
the first German rush has been car
ried to the fighting zones, supplement-
ing the considerable American force
which already was in France Except
for the finer points of trench warfare,
the new American units are ready for
the battle. They are regarded as fully
prepared for the form Of action in
which they will be engaged.
Washington, May 25.-Renewal Of
ed by Premier Lloyd George to be
imminent, finds American military
opinion here absolutely confident of
the outcome. There is not a doubt
in the minds of high officers familiar
with the situation that the enemy
will be repealed with loss and the Of
fensive power of Germany broken.
There are those who believe that
the end of the war may come this
year as result. Others, however,,
foresee a long defensive struggle by
the German army while efforts to Sc
cure peace on the best possible terms
are made by the Berlin diplomats.
In assessing the situation as it
stands today in France, officers here
point out that the German position
strategically is far weaker than it was
when the drive was launched IN
March. Their lines are now shaped
SO that there is constant danger Of
flank attack from several points that
might mean disaster. To guard those
points ample reserves must be held
whatever the call for more men may
be made from the fronts Of attack.
In addition, many thousands of
trained Italian troops have reached
the front in France. They came with
out equipment beyond their uniforms,
it is understood, but have now been
fully supplied and are available for
employment by General Foch.
Net Gain in Allied Manpower
1t is regarded as proba BILE, to sum
up the manpower situation, that the
effective fighting strength of the
Allies and the Americans in France
today shows a considerable net gain
ever what it was on March q when
the German assault was begun.
On the other hand. Germany with
losses certainly as great as those of
the British and French combined
and probably very much greater, has
only her returning wounded men to
fill up the depleted ranks of her front
line divisions. Every regiment of the
German troops that could be spared
from the eastern front was with
drawn before the first blow was
/ struck. Nothing has happened since
then to make available additional
forces.
With a disorganized Russia at her
back, German cannot further reduce
the forces she is compelled to hold in
the east, it is believed here. Some
Interchange of regiments or larger
units between the east and west may
have been made during the lull. In
preparation for the first great on
slaught in the west, however, the
German High Command combed out
of the east not only every strictly
front line regiment, but even re-
placed the fittest men in companies
there with older personnel, taking the
picked men to fill in west front organ
izations.
Officers here point out several con-
| ditions which contribute to force the
Germans to attempt a further adj
vance, hopeless as the outlook for
success may appear. In the first
| place, the present German line in
Picardy and Flanders is in such a
! position as to be untenable whenever
Gen. Foch feels that the time has
| come to strike back. The German
| withdrawal to the famous linden
! burg line was forced by much less
serious military menace than now
! confronts the Amiens and Ypres sa-
! lients which the Germans have Gre
ated. Military precautions demand,
| it is declared that the line be either
| advanced retired in the near flu
| ture.
| Internal conditions, it is believed,
| compelled the military party in Ger
! many to insist on the drive in the
! first place. The restlessness of the
masses under the cost of the war
| threatened the held Of the military
and territorial expansion advocates
! on the government If anything, it
| is said, that restlessness must have
! been increased by the grave food sit
| uation and the fruitless effort already
| made, and consequently there must
| be desperate efforts for a military
victory to quiet the brewing storm at
home.