Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-19
Situation Is Assuming Critical
Phases and Occupation of
Germany May Become NeC-
esSary at Early Date.
U. S. OFFICERS HAVE NO
FEAR OF BIG HUN ARMY
Stories of Possible Teuton
Army of 100000 Men
Are Not Credited; Passive
Resistance to Armistice.
by Cyril Brown.
(Staff correspondent of the the Albu.
querque Journal and New York
WORLDLY
Copyright 1919, by the Perss Publish
ing Co.
Especial cable Dispatch. }

NNpeCidI ldbie IiSpdlCH.)
Coblen2, Feb. 1S.-Speculation con
cerning the armistice negotiations
brought about a potential military
crisis of such character that further
developments will be watched with
keenest professional interest by those
whose business it will be to anticipate
the military possibilities of the fu'
ture.
Particular interest is shown in the
prospect of a German policy of passive
resistance, which may lead to extended
occupation of German territory. Ii
this connection the journal Worlt
correspondent may say confidently
that the American army of occupation
is in rare fighting form and is ready
for any job, however thankless it may
prove. The staff has closely followed
the rehabilitation and the voluntary
demobilization of the German army
and has prepared plans for any pos
sible contingency, and the American
army may be set in motion all along
the line in from one to three hours
after receipt of orders to move in any
direction. 1t can go to Berlin as cas-
lily as anywhere else.
Our Army Ready Tor Action.
Aside from immediate considera-
tions, the army regards further occu-
patton of Germany as a tiresome pro-
ceeding, for it is devoid of the stim-
ulus of real fighting. So, while it is
hoped that the extension of American
occupation will not be thought neces-
sary, the army is ready. Members of
the staff think a quick solution of ex-
listing problems can be found by the
statesmen in Paris and that they
alone should furnish it, and thus
clear the situation.
1t seems almost certain that no
fighting will occur along the Rhine
front during the period of American
occupation. Responsible military
opinion has all along pooh-poohed the
jingoistic utterances attributed to
Marshal Foch and are now disavowed
by him. Nor is any weight attached
here to the report that the Germans
can put an army of 100000 in the
field.
The best opinion here is that even
if a volunteer army of that magnitude
could be enlisted, no effective fight
ing would be possible if the direction
of operations wereNto rest in the Sol
dierS' councils.
Serious View Of Events i'm East.
1t is pointed out also that Germany
lacks the economic and material
backbone to maintain such, force.
Moreover, 1t is urged that even if
there were an army, well disciplined
and supplied with adequate NUM-
tions, Germany would not start any
n ia n
operation would entail the destruction
of the Rhine valley, and sentimental
reasons alone would be sufficient to
hold Germany to policy of passive
resistance at the most, In the west,
The German army in the east is
taken far more generously. 1t is
felt unless prompt action shall be in
terposed to settle the differences be-
tween the Poles and Germans, a real
war may start there. The German
army in the east commands the pro-
fessional respect of military special
lists.
Americans Have Most Force.
German main headquarters are said
to be at Kilberg. 1t is understood
that the German Thirtieth division is
laying siege to Culmberg, which is
talon Brusson is defending Hakel and
the Jaeger battalion Kierchain is ad-
vancing against the Poles. Many mis-
cellaneous German formations are
known to be operating in the district
occupied by the German Fifth army
corps, in the east
Owing to this situation the Amer
lean army of occupation is on edge
over the possible outbreak of a mo
ton war" far in the east, which
might involve mimic motion warfare
on large scale for the Americans,
now bored and marking time on the
Rhine.
The Americans are in better fight
ing shape than the French or the
British armies, occupying contiguous
territory. Regular drills and maneu-
vers have been kept up by the
American army for five hours daily,
and the troops are fit for any enter
prise. IN spite of draft requirements,
the divisions have been handled in
regular army fashion and have been
trained into prime form.