The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-06

They may become more ana more frequent, and
IL the Allies find they are successful enough %
warrant their continuance, become virtually con.
tinous along the whole front and develop into
the decisive battle. They have one big advantage
over a definite offensive pushed for many days
In the latter case, the defense becomes stronger
daily as reserves are brought up, and the al
vance becomes more difficult and most costly
every hour The original advantage Of surprise
is lost after the first day or two. With lavish
use OF tanks artillery and airplanes the limited
attacks can be made very Inexpensive in loss %
the defenders The next week or two SHOULD
disclose whether these attacks are part of well
developed plan which will be pushed throughout
the summer or whether they are merely attempts
to strengthen certain parts Of the line in antic-
tpaton OF a renewal of the German drive.
The sinking Of the hospital ship Llandoyery
Castle during the week, was one Of the most des-
pcable acts in the, German record Of atrocities;
1t was Of no particular military Importance but
1t added fuel to the rage Of civilization.
American Participation.
Perhaps the most notable feature Of the weeks
war news was the disclosure Of the rapidly ac-
cumulating American strength Evidence is az
cumulating very rapidly Of the stupendous scaIe
upon which America is getting into the war. AS
was expected, independence Day brought the an
nouncenent of the first million Americans in
France. Secretary Baker elaborated this an
nouncement with a statement that there are now
approximately 2,170,400 men in the American
army, SO that more than another million are
at the rate of 100000 to 100000 month
The news Of the industrial preparations Is
equally hearteninR. Virtually every department
is reaching or has already reached the desired
goal of quantity production. More than 9oO
heavy Browning machine guns were delivered IN
May, and more than 1900 hight Browning guns.
This figure undoubtedly was greatly increased IN
June Rifles enough to equip an army d.
vision are being turned out every three
days. Up to June 8, 286 battle planes had
been delivered, and it must be remembered that
America was not seriously counted upon Tor
battle planes, but was concentrating on bombing
planes. The output Is now 80 a week or more
how much more nobody outside the war depart
ment knows More than 1000 Liberty motors
have been delivered, and the output is now more
than 115 week.
July Fourth saw 81 new ships take the water, a
staggering record. America alone is now pro-
ducing more tonnage than the submarines are
sinking altogether.
The Russian Mystery.
The Russian situation defies any attempt at
intelligent analysis the basis of the meagre
and unreliable reports that have been received
One feature Of it provides some cause for anx-
iety. Assisted by Finnish troops, the Germans
apparently planning an attack on the Muir
mansk coast. The Allies have vast stores Of sup
plies at Archangel and Kola on the White Sea
limited forces of French, British and Aneri-
can Marines. These stores would be Of immense
value to Germany and she will doubtless make a
desperate effort to capture them. That they will
be defended bitterly is assured by the fact that
they are in the custody of French, British and
American troops and not Of Bolsheviki, and
Northern Russia, may be the scene Of some very
desperate fighting before many weeks have
passed.
Otherwise what news comes from Russia is en-
couraging. The Czecho-Slovak troops have taxi
en- Vladivostok, and there seems to be some
good basis for the reports Of a counter revou
ton headed by Grand Duke Michael assisted by
Czecho- Slovaks.
The terrible summer heat of Mesopotarnia has
apparently brought operations there to a tenn
porary. standstil for no news has come from the
British expeditions for several weeks.