Evening star., 1918-04-07

front lines of Picardy. The movement
to the front started Immediately after
France had formally accepted the
American offer Of aid in the present Sc
ries of battles.
It is estimated, though nothing def
mite is known, that fully one hundred
thousand Americans soon will be fight
ing shoulder to shoulder with the
French and British, If they already have
not been engaged in battle. American
battalions will be brigaded with the
French and British forces on those sec
tions of the front where the situation Is
more critical. This movement of Amer
loans into the battle, carrying with it
as it does breath of the new worlds
vigor. has greatly heartened both the
French and British soldiers and as re-
suit determination to do or die has been
greatly increased. according to allied
officers.
The feeling among the Americans
themselves is one of extreme gratifica-
ton that they will have a hand in
this momentous struggle raging on
both banks of the Somme and along
the river Disc. In recent weeks the
Americans have doubted just where
they were to engage the enemy, and
after the battles in Picardy began
fears were expressed that the Ameri-
cans would not be permitted to lend
their support to the allies in the crucial
test. American officers generally be-
1ieve that the struggle on the western
front is to be the decisive one; and they
desire to carry the Stars and Stripes to
the forefront in any engagement or
series of engagements designed to
throw off Hun influence throughout the
world.
officers and men as well have been
exultant in the past week. Long lines
OF khaki-clad men are going into the
struggle with songs and cheers The
n1n 80
highest order. and their weight against
the enemy is expected to assist mate
rally in bringing about the eventual
victorious decision.
Military activities on that section of
the western front held down by the
Americans have not been of far reach
ing importance in the past week,
though the Americans have been con-
stantly on the alert. The Germans in
the Tou1 sector and in the new Ameri-
can sector on the heights of the Meuse
were subject to gas attacks by the
enemy during the week just closed, but
the Americans handled themselves
we'll. American patrols have entered
German lines at two points, but failed
to come in contact with the enemy.
The new American position on the
Meuse is an important one. During the
battles of Verdun the Meuse heights
were the eventual barrier to German
aH 81 cssioi AioHi the south, strong
French resistance here preventing
enemy success in movements desisned
to envelop Verdun. Should the Germans
renew their effort to squeeze the
French from the famous citadel, the
Americans will come in for some severe
hghting on this section of the front.
~
Will Russia be able to come back he
he I,
entente mate
Will Russ Come Back? rial military
No; Is the Answer. ss's'Anee ass neesona IN
struggle?
This question has been raised more
than once during the past two weeks,
having been born largely of the report
that the soviet government intended to
raise an army of 100000 men. Pre-
sumably this force is to be used in
fighting Germany. More likely the So
Wet leaders have come to the conclusion
that if Russia is to be ruled within
herself and any semblance of order is
maintained during the period of recon
struction, If there Is to be any such
period under the present governmental
regime. large military force is need
ed The soviet leaders realize that to
perpetuate themselves and make certain
their tenure and in any wise carry out
the promises which they have made to
the people 1t will take more than mere
words to do 1t.
1t reasonably may be expected that
Russia so long as Lenine and Trotzky
are in power will take no steps to aid
the entente powers. Though there has
been some curtailment Of the animosity
shown toward the United States, the
feeling of distrust In regard to others
of the entente has not abated one whit.
In fact, II Is not to be expected that a
group OF leaders so closely affiliated
would do anything but encourage dis
trust OF the entente powers as long as
such q thing In p0ssibaA DuE1ne tho