Show SECOND PHASE OF RETREAT IS WAY Washington Regards Foe Retirement as Part of General Plans I r r c. c Washington n Oct 18 While tho the German retirement In Belgium has glittering glittering- possibilities military opinion lon ion here hore la Is forced to tho the conclusion that thit what Is In pro progress li Id a well ordered ordered or or- dered and executed withdrawal probably Tho The positions positions- prepared ably upon reports from om other portions that fact of ot the tho front notably from tho thO Lillo Laon southeast of oC tho the sector and area the thO of or retirements gives also tell teU Indications of oC a general movement t mo tn- tn official yet et no withdrawal but a as to Indicate wh te come formation s ho-s will which hO enemY the line upon attempt to tard has been established officials con can take no Arm Army rous reports p- p of oC an im- im of oC the num S seek seek- capitulation t In complete bf bC the irig n the tho explanation The They can as- as maneuvers in the tho vcr a- a definite to very these operations H I ft f Gr- Gr V piano anti ana wen well ell I man general staff It was vas Laid taid tonight the tho gun begun I 1 has that tho enem enemy probably he has hns of ot the withdrawal 1 second phase I reI re- re 1 to undertake o 3 as 1 a I. I been boen compelled by Marj Marshal Mar Mar- suit of DC unwavering pressure I t j hal ahal Foch all nIl nIllon along lon the battle Dattle line with which to toI tomake the tho reserves Lacking Lacking- It ItI j I mako make a. a stand on an on extended front I Ii lit to bo be assumed that he hu Is falling failing where f c back to a. a much shortened line J I f he can show greater resisting power J Xo o Rest nut Is on to believe bellove however reason i There Thero of oC the allied allied allied al- al under tho the hammering that un er the German lied and American armies compelled to 10 tomake been bean I high h command has hl e. e Instead of oC hold- hold make nake a- a to the tho front lines until the new now on In complete readiness It Is front was probable that tho the highly regarded as abandoned abandoned aban aban- aro being Advanced Advance positions avoid encirclement encircle encircle- In time to ment and barely the retirement being made fully tully equipped and cerI to 10 defenses defences not with extensive reI re- re not manned tho the such Is la tho the case If It I serves os must turn and fight again aln armies lug In reach the new lIne lines The when ichen hen they In each eacho I rapidity of oC the Iho allied pursuit opportunity for rest or case o gives no reorganization lion general g genius of or tho the German I i Tho Iho in inI officers say shown I staff taU Is plainly withdrawal I with which the tho J J the has the the- been baen skill skIn conducted thus far tar and it is isI move move- ordered I- I till evident that a D. well I forces out of or im the nt Belgian Is clearing coast enemy area Tho The situations situa- situa t. t v 5 thero Is hazy haz- hazIn In man many r respects changing swiftly duo to tho the however i cavalry J nature o of the lines Pursuing schedule Gorman German I may upset the tho and largo large captures capt result 1 l To BeIn Cleared the French Th The Tho reports showing that making progress progress' In clearing up upI were of oC pocket southeast the Sorro Olse I attention Laon attracted particular here This narrow point or high ground between the two rivers guarded cd I 1 line on both wide marshy water by has appeared to bo be toe trie bastion fronts ronta resistance In the which tho enemy center on rested restel It has be been n regarded ed edas as Incapable of ot retention for an any great length of oC time as It Is subject to a sided three bombardment by heavy heay force its Us guns uns that eventually c would evacuation Tlc Tl enemy made this sector sec sec- tor however a part of ot tho the lunding It to hold holdup line and has been employing the center enter up the tho general l advance In The collapse of oC this position presumably pre pre- means a rapid straightening of or the whole center o of tho the front At t Atthe the o wings winG's of ot this vital part of the line American troops northwest of or Verdun and Anglo American forces at Lea Cateau Ca- Ca arc are hammering their theira way a ahead toward tho the main communication lines I that support the whole enemy frame frame- accounts for tor the work ork This probably stubborn resistance on both wings as as' as compared with that encountered elsewhere elsewhere elsewhere else else- where it was said The freeing r of oC tho the Belgian coast const will have little direct effect on the submarine situation but ma may bo of oC the greatest indirect value in furnishing furnish furnish- ing jag the allied forces with new bases hases from which to o operate antisubmarine patrols The German U-boat U flotillas on the tho Flanders coast have been a athing athing l thing thins of ot tho the past ever since the harbors harbors har liar bors bore w were re blocked b by the British naval forces s which undoubtedly had a share I In Jn convincing tho the enemy high command of oC tho wisdom of oC quitting that terri tern ton tory ion |