Show BATTLE ON WESTERN FRONT CRUCIAL TO ALLIES Struggle Is for Control of Transportation Back Backof of Lines T By International News Service r WASHINGTON VASHI June 9 9 hc now v battle on the western front is recognized b by allied aWed and antI American military militar officers here as one of the mo most t crucial crucial cru cru- cial dat of or the war Should 1 the Germans be successful It would effectually consolidate in their hands h all of or the French territory which U they have nave grasped since spring Com Com- the thc Immediate object of today's attack is one of or the two great centers of or communication not now HOW In fl German hands along alons- the battle lines With in their hands hand the thera ra railways canals and highways his which connect Peronne La Fere Laon SoisSons Sois- Sois sons and Neuf Neu Chat Chatel l will form a complete com corn system of movement an and supply Without and amid without t Hh ims there are serious breaks an arid and Jon long detours to be made in the move move- mO l m nf nf nr n a tr r The Importance of as a renter enter of communication for the allies was as larel largely destroyed with the fall o of oC but General Foci Foch ma may be expected ex cx- cx- cx pe pc ted d allied officers rs say to use the thc utmost of his power to prevent Com Corn piene from falling into German hands The Thc present battle is de described In re reports reports re- re ports received receive here as one of or the cut cleanest-cut tests of oC strength that the thear war ar has lias seen since Verdun The Germans Germans Germans Ger Ger- mans have essayed an advance that to tol l th them n is most important But the they must make it over one of thet best manned sections of or the allied line The Thc place of or the drives drive's renewal wa was also expected Hence the Germans were deprived of oC an any element of surprise sur sur- prise prisa and it itIs Is presumed here that with no danger no-danger dAnger of attack m n ii force at any other point General Foch has mustered back of or this line Une reserve resene elements adequate adequate adequate ade ade- quate to the moments moment's need The German leader is presumed presume to have chosen the Noyon Noyon sector for Cor attack because an a advance to to the southward here will vill imperil the rear of all the allied troops which stand standon standon between be- be on on a southeast northwest-southeast angle tween the thc Oise and arid the Without official communication as asyet here believes es American I Il yet everyone e l oops will play playa a big part in in n this battle bat bat- tle tIe They are known mown to tobe be at Canti Cantigny ny just to the left leet an and they are known to he between the time Olse Oise an and the Marne just to the thc right It is also believed here there is a strong American fla flavor 01 to the reserves which General Foch m must st have assembled directly in the rear icar of this critical al salient |