The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-12

movement of troops = = -
qoubtedly be necessary for two great retirements
to be begun by the Germans. They must get
OUT or the Lille-Douai salient Withdrawing from
ooth these cities at least far as the Belgian
border and they must get out of the ST Gobain
forest around Laon, the very keystone of the
German arch in France. This forest growing
along RICH rocky promotory is almost irnpreg-
nabe to frontal attack, but it is being encir-
cled by the drive through La Cateau and the ad-
vance north Of Rheims and the troops in ali his
region must get out be cut off.
ION Their Way" Again. ..
The operations of the last week have finally re-
suited in putting the Germans ION the move"
again They are on their way backward once
more. fighting desperately to avoid a rout and
complete disorganization. e
Where the next stand will be made is prob
lematlcaI They have a prepared line Of defense
running from Metz through Montmedy Mezieres
and then to Lille but this has already been reach
ed and perhaps cut by the capture of LIE Cateau.
IL IS not unlikely that the northern part of this
line will have to be swung backward at Mezieres
and an effort made to establish a new line from
Mezleres through either Givet or Maubeuge If
a retirement from the channel ports is forced by
Turther attacks near Rouers, the northern end of
this line would probably be based Antwerp and
Brussels. If the Germans could make stand on
such line and hold until the arrival of winter,
they would doubtless be we'll satisfied. for they
would still retain buffer, part of Belgium and
all of Luxembourg between the Fatherand and the
zone
But 'Iines" have little meaning to the Allied
armies now since the break through at Cams
brai. If they can pass such an obstacle as that
the Germans have nothing that will permanently
stop the advance. 1t may be checked momentar-
lily giving the Germans time to effect some re-
organization, but the Germans were never nearer
a rout than they are today.
In the Champagne.
Aside from the CambraiASt. Quentin operations,
the most important fighting this week has been
on the front from Rheims to Verdun, where the
Italians, French and Americans have been making
important progress. The Argonne forest has at
last been wholly surrounded and cleared of the
enemy, and the French and American lines have
been Joined north of it at Grand Pre- Ifs any
Germans left in the forest they will be Killed
or captured. Between the French and Americans
and the city of MeZieres there is a short defen-
sive system known the Kriemhilde line, which
has already been penetrated at several points.
During the coming week there is likely to be
some very strenuous fighting in this district for
every mile Of advance here imperils all the Ger
man troops in the Laon district. BY driving UP
the Meuse river toward Mezieres the Americans
would be closing side of great pocket, the
other side of which is being closed by the Bditish
advance at LIE Cateau.
The War in the Air.
Ever since the war began, Americans have
dreamed of winning the war through the air."
During the week the hrst real promise of such
an outcome was given by the raid in which $50
American planes took part. This is by far the
biggest feet of airplanes ever assembled for one