Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-17
They Didn't Expect 1t.
Americans Have Proved
Their Mettle
INCREASES CONFIDENCE
With Pershing's Men Able to
Hold Their Own, Enthu-
siasm Reigns in London
CHARLES H. CRASTY
Special Gable to Evening Public Ledger

'Pe''o' IoOte 10 Etentn3 FuOUc Le0geT
Copvrfoht, 1918. bv Ncw York Times Co.
London, July II.
London went to bed anxious the first
night. but the mornings news brought
cheeriness about the German offensive.
Americans in London. while deeply graf
ihed at the showing made on the Marine.
were somewhat wary in expressing them
selves until events had reached a more
advanced stage.
In English military circles the Amer
lean performance was the general topic
of conversation. Splendid French resist
ance Is an old story. but every demon
stratton of American efficiency brings a
fresh outburst of enthusiasm
Frankly. Europeans are surprised.
They did not expect 1t. The outstanding
fact In the big battle. as they see II, is
that American troops at the front have
proved their mettle. and this gives i'm
mense encouragement to the European
armies in the field and the civilian COM
munities behind. with each succeeding
proof that Americans In the battleline
can hold up their end our allies become
more confident Of ultimate victory over
the Germans.
Encourages All Americans
1t is pointed cut that similar encour-
agement is given all Of our troops who
have not thus far been engaged. Friendly
competition among our own units and
between ourselves and our allies in deeds
Of valor becomes great force to pro-
mote efficiency English commentators
believe they saw this force already at
work in the fine performance Of the
French troops. which was even above
their usual high average Monday.
The promptness Of the America n Ncoun-
or W ocnania1tSy 1Hy
commented upon. The way the Ameri-
cans came back recalls a story given
around and first told to King George
by an American officer from France. An
Australian was asked on the day after
the Fourth Of July to tell what he
thought of American soldiers.
They're fine" he replied, but bit
rough"
AS Australians are supposed to wear
the heaviest hobnails in any army up
to date, the British sovereign thought
this comment coming from them some
what significant.
Satisfaction in All Comment
The drive has not yet progressed far
enough and the news is toe meager to
justify conclusions. but one observes an
undertone of satisfaction in all COM
ment 1t is generally believed that the
tIdu-NSIIloU leu ny
dorff and Won Tirpitz. demanded their
inning in central political governments
as we'll as in military operations. They
got their wish. and the new blow marks
the initiation Of their program. As
suming that 1t is the main stroke and
not preliminary to a large scale at
tack elsewhere. II is regarded here as
comparative failure
Instead of raising German morale at
the front and inside Of Germany. 1t must
have reverse effect. because it dis
closes the strength of the Allies and
tends to CONFIRM the already strong con-
viction that they are a match for the
enemy even under present conditions.
While Americans are pouring in re-
endorsements the German leaders will
find II impossible to maintain the will
TO victory. and the sentiment expressed
by Won Kuehlmann will again become
dominant and further weaken the de-
clining spirit at the front.
Germans Must Go Far
Anything short Of gains that will
bring the enemy within shelling distance
Of Paris will be regarded here as a de-
feat for the Germans in their fourth
great offensive. Only such a gain would
enable them to make progress without
| waiting to prepare another set Of Of
fensives Such a process. requiring six
| or eight weeks time, even II possible a,
all In the circumstances, is increasingly
| difficult for the Germans. because OF
their relative loss Of strength in reserves
of men and material.
However, the situation remains ir
suspense. The Germans have not de,
veloped the gains made during the first
few hours of the assault. On the Other
hand. save on the American front jus,
east of Chateau-Thierry, no counter
attack has yet driven them of lthl
ground won.
1t is possible they will endeavor 4
press further on this side. especial,
toward Epernay, so as to get behind tn,
Rheims salient, but in any case tn,
benefits Of surprise have been to
large extent lost to them. They hav,
suffered heavy casualties, and the Allied
armies will draw valuable encourage
ment from the initial failure of thei,
adversaries to repeat the result Of theil
Grcy ,Tn III,