Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-20
SATURDAY EVENING. JULY 20, 1918.
EVENTS OF A WEEK

Because Of the events of the past few days the week
just closed may be considered to mark the turning point
In the great war so far as the campaign Of 1918 is con-
cerned. For the first time this year, since the Germans
massed on the west front the forces which they had with
drawn from the long Russian line, and had started in on
their determined effort to break through the Allied lines
to the coast. the Allies have undertaken an offensive
movement on a large scale. and have made that move
ment successful. For the first time, too, since the entry
Of their nation into the war, American troops in large
numbers, and operating as distinct units, have partici-
pated IN a major military movement. And, in this larger
operation, the Americans have fully justified the expecta-
tons of their friends at home, and have maintained in
a large way the record which they had already made in
a score of local fights on various sections of the front.
The week opened with a German offensive on a CO.
mile front extending from Chateau-Thierry along the
Marine, to a point many miles east of Rheims. This o-
Grafton, which had been expected, though the point where
it would be launched had been in doubt, had been
planned on a large scale, and it was by far the most im-
portant movement undertaken since the Picardy often
sive of March 1. The Germans had brought to this sector
some Of their best troops, and in the matter of artillery
they were served better than they had been at any other
time this year, for they had brought down a large num-
Der Of powerful naval guns such as had not been used in
any of the former engagements.
Notwithstanding their long and careful preparation,
the Germans, in this great effort, failed from the outset
Ground was gained here and there. The Marne was
crossed at several points. But the successes were entirely
local. There was an entire absence Of the sweeping on
rush which characterized the opening Of the Picardy
offensive, and which was a more or less conspicuous TEA
ture Of the other main offensive Of the year. Before the
end Of the third day the Germans were practically at a
standstill. and they had been beaten back from many Is
points where they had gained a foothold. Ia
At this juncture there was evidence of an intent to
abandon the main offensive, and to concentrate effort on i
the capture of Rheims, which had been held against the j
southern offensive of two months ago. The shifting Of '
the German troops indicated a turning movement with a
the obvious intent to cut off communication Of Rheims G
had been believed to be precarious at the close Of the q
May offensive, and the world was prepared last Wednes-
day for the announcement of its evacuation. Thursday I
came the startling news that d strong counter attack has q
been begun by the Allies on a 25-mte front reaching from c
Chateau-Thierry north, and that in the first days fight r
ing, some four miles had been gained along practically {
the entire front. Is
The line near chateau-Thierry has been held by the I
American divisions, while farther north by the French. t
These forces worked in concert, and advanced in the c
early morning in a storm of rain and wind in which the Y
sound of guns was drowned by the peals of thunder t
which reverberated through the air. The advance was Q
continued without intermission until the enemy's terri I
tory had been penetrated in places to the depth of seven c
miles. Some $4,000 prisoners have been checked of, and t
many large guns, with thousands of machine guns have G
been captured. AS these lines are written, the advance t
continues. but slowly, and it may be nearing it's end, as d
the Germans have brought up reinforcements in haste in a
order to prevent the rout which a very much greater A. j
lied advance would surely bring upon them.
News Of this sudden and successful blow has been
received with great demonstrations Of satisfaction in all
the Allied countries. The event is significant and cheer
ing. It does not mark the speedy ending of the war. It t
does not mark the beginning Of the great Allied offensive
IS which is to come in due time. It does indicate that the
growth Of the Allies in man power at the front, and in
equipment, has proceeded at such a rate that now. for
the first time. it is possible, and it is deemed prudent for
the Allies to undertake ON their own motion, 4 major Of
fensive movement which could not safely have been UNI
dertaken earlier in the year. Taking the field at large,
the initiative probably still remains with the Germans,
but from this time forward the Germans must proceed
with the knowledge that at any moment, and on any
large sector that the Allied command may choose, the
time, place and conditions. OF. battle may be chosen byi
the Allies, and not by themselves. It shows that the aug
msntation of the Allied forcs. which .has been going ON
from Great Britain. and especially from the United I
ss6ta4es, i having II effect 81 changing ne conditions of
fheg campaign. and II 10 an earnest 81 what " may ex-
lAter on when those men from across the salt water.
49, hsvs batety Is4dsd: q francs, ahails hsys Joined vtth
n 4tar eoapsnien sat the front ana haye siydn ths Aliiss
anssh = preponderanc ~ force Ia inc yneld that ths Gsr-I,
sa = IN Il driysas from their trsaeA4s ana kspts aouss
@1pSAsssSldty tbs3 they Vii havs IA: tians is ds oshsra
a m imnsdiats snects II Isl. aeh,s,snn,na.s 8
SAtsh sbotA french and Amerirans hAvs borns 3 -sssssossI,
H. 5l..zs, - saay nos mt ne dsaaits.aand ay-psssnsyl