Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-19
THE FIRST GREAT COUNTERSTROKE

The Allies have delivered their first great counter-
stroke in the campaign Of 1918. Prior to4his time there
have been counter offensives innumerahle. apd many Of
them have been successful. But until now ali such eff
forts have been distinctly local in character. designed to
attain only a local object-the recapture Of a hill. the re-
occupation Of q few yards OF trench, or the like. rhey
have been intended to embarrass the enemy at some par
'ticular point to increase his local expenditure Of men. or
to make it more difficult for hia to carry out some en-
terprise on which he was engaged
The operation undertaken by the French and Amer
leah forces on Thursday on the westerly side of the
wedge which the Germans had driven down to the Marne
is Of a different character. Twenty-Five miles Of line are
involved, and along that whole line the Allies struck with
such force as to force back the German lines from two
or four miles along the entire frontage. An effort Of that
character would not have been put forth in order to gain
a mere local advantage. Whatever may be the ultimate
purpose, it is easy to understand something Of the i'm
portance of this move. II General Foch should succeed
in crushing in this side Of the salient. OF in penetrating it
to any considerable distance, the position Of the Germans
in that entire southern triangle becomes untenable. They
must right face. retreat or be taken to the rear. The
prospect Of material success by the Allies will make
necessary a revision of the whole German strategy SO far
as this phase Of the fight is concerned. 1t is possible, Of
course, that they may be able to make such new dispo-
sitions Of their forces that they will be able to stave off
the impending disaster. but the move of the Allies has
brought them face to face with disaster, and Of no mean
proportions.
The Allied blow appears to have been perfectly timed.
The Germans had launched a great offensive, and had
put forth an extraordinary effort to attain their objec-
tives. Such success as they won was altogether insig-
nificant in proportion to the effort made. They won a
little ground here and there, but the general movement
was a dismal failure. Apparently they had abandoned
thought Of carrying out their main purpose, and propos-
ed to save what they could from the wreck by improving
their local positions, and perhaps by occupying Rheims.
They had spent three days in the hardest kind of fighting,
and, at the time when there was every appearance of
their being exhausted by their effort, Foch let loose his
legions upon them.
The news Of this stroke will be received with jublia-
ton in all the Allied countries. The campaign has been
watched with strained interest aid will, anxiety. A pure
ly defensive campaign is trying to those wfo are imme-
diately engaged in it, and to those who occupy the posi-
ton of intensely interested spectators. But the striking
of such a blow, at just the opportune moment. will cheer
all the Allied peoples by confirming confidence that they
have in the supreme command Of their forces. 1t gives
concrete evidence of >watchfulness, resourcefulness, cour-
age and decision, and it will make easier whatever wait
ing may be necessary in the future for the great move
ment which is to send the Germans home.