Evening star., 1918-05-30
BRITISH AID GIVEN
DESPITE HUN HOPES
Army Officers Here Believe
Direction of Drive Shows
Political Purpose.
ATTACK ON ALLIED UNITY

Army officers here see political. as
we'll as a military purpose in the un-
expected direction Of the German
drive between scissors and Rheims.
Their theory is that the Germans
are alive to the great advantage ac-
cruine to the allies through the broad
powers bestowed upon Gen. Foch.
The German reason for a choice of
locale of their present effort is inter-
nreted as an assault upon this unified
command.
Back of the German movement. 1t
was explained, probably is test Of
this unity of command. in that the
Germans seek to compel the British to
rush to the aid of the French as the
French went to the aid Of the Brit
tsb when the channel ports were
threatened.
Difficult to Send Men.
That the German hope has not been
realized is shown already by the pres
ence of British troops on the present
fighting front. Probably the only rea-
son there were not more was because
Of the suddenness of the attack and
the dificulty of getting reinforce
ments there.
The chief advantage to the Ger
mans- IN their swift advances of the
last two days, is said here not to be
40 much In the capture Of territory or
even Of prisoners. but in the Strain
their strategy puts upon Gen. Foch's
army of reserve.
II Gen, Foch must dispatch large
numbers Of reserves to the region OF
present activity, it means that they
must be withdrawn from back OF
Amiens and from the strong defenses
built up for the channel ports. To
get them back again means a consid-
erable detour behind the semicircu-
lar line which the Germans have
marked by their penetrations.
Must Defend Distant Points.
In other words. the allies must de-
fend two far-distant points. must as
sure the safety of the long distances
between. and by placing before them
this problem .the Germans hope to
avoid a sufficient concentration of
troops for a heavy counter attack.
To check the present German ad-
yances one point indicated for sue
cessful counter stroke on the part of
the allies is Cant1Sny, Wnere American
troops made their brilliant stroke. The
American forces hold that salient, and
should there be fighting there the men
from the United States would have
their first chance to distinguish them
selves in q large scale operation
II ia not certain that Gen. Eoch will
decide to lexpend man power at that
noint. Should he do so. at the ex-
pense of weakening other parts Of the
line or of utilizing too many reserves.
II would be risking much, and there
is doubt whether he would consider
the chance worth taking.
Defense Of Paris.
Though the Germans now are with
In fifty-eight miles of Paris that fact
,,,eans n. stronger resistance on the
norton of the line about Soissons. be-
cause the reserve and home guard
forces for the defense of Paris would
he available were that city threat
ened.
renorts Of the recent fighting lies in
the absence of any mention of guns
captured. Apparently the Germans
Saf no such rich rewards in ordnance
as those which marked their advance
toward Amiens. Soissons is a point
Of no particular military value. There
may have been some stores there.
There was one railroad, but its cap
ture would not seriously interfere
With t1an0po5tAtaon.