South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-15
WILL KEEP
HAMMERING
AT ENEMY
Officials Believe
That is FoCh'S and PERISH
ing'S Intentions in Order
to Disrupt Hun Morale.
Associated Press Service

Associated Press service
WASHINGTON, sept l4.-Behind
the brief Official announcement tina.
the French today had attacked
south Of the Aisne and on the Disc
Ailette sector. military observers
here believe, lies a definite hint as
TO the basic strategy governing the
allied operations. The purpose Of
Gen. Foch is now thought 70 be 10
strike az various points Of the long
western front in such q rapid sue
cession that the German general
staff VII not md an opportunity to
withdraw any battered units for rest
and recuperation. Results Of these
tactics, officials here hold, soon
would De reflected in the accelerat-
cd disruption Of the enemy morale
which official and unofficial reports
from abroad declare has been pal
pably damaged by the events Of the
last two months.
If strstegists here have correctly
guessed Gen. FOch's plan, each
phase Of the offensive will be de
signed 10 reach some limited tacti-
series IF blows would serve 10 keep
the entire enemy defensive line i'm
q state Of perpetual unrest
VIII Continue Pressure.
Many officers believe this purpose
viii be shown more clearly as the
winter sets in by continued pressure
against the German lines al along
the front 70 keep the enemy from
stabilizing his position and 10 keep
his men from getting any rest and
restoration Of morale in that way.
There is no question in the minds Of
these officers that the supreme com
mander is aiming at the morale OF
the German army by these harass-
ing tactics as much ar he is az ad-
vancement Of his own battle front.
Destruction Of the enemy army.
after al. they say. IS the only Ger
tain way 10 military victory.
Cen March. chief Of staff. limited
today AT continued offensive by
Gen. Pershing on the St. NIihieI
front At his weekly conference
with newspaper correspondents he
said elimination Of the salient fur
i liArlNNht y Dt NNNl AttNN Abl AANNAA 2 vi
fensive operations"
Don't Know PeTshin2's Course.
No official reports had come.
/ however. TO show the course Gen.
Pershing is following since the two
wings Of his attack formed q juno
ton and closed the mouth Of the
81. Mihiel trap on the enemy.
Berlin reported officially that
/ Pershing's men were feeling their
way toward Our new lines" east OF
[ Com bres and northwest OF Thiau-
court. Just what time this referred
20 was not cleared To appeared
. probable tonight. however that the
line Of defense upon which the Ger
mans have fixed VIII be found well
20 the north and east OF the posi-
lions held by Pcrshiug's outpost at
last authentic reports T. is not be-
ueved here. however. that the enc
my will yield control OF the Byie-
, iron fields without stubborn fight
and Pc -shius is advancing directly
; towards that important region
Discussing the American opera
t.ons OF the last two DAYS Cen
March said
St MihicI Last Salient.
The old 81 AIihieI salient was
the first one that was -tabIished
along the western front ir Septem-
Der. 1919. and is the last one 70 30
+ he nar-owest and most angular OF
all salients. projecting 10 miles into
The French line and having import
ant r,-7tfa--- rea~fr7 HarsIrsa 81 e