The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-09
The War for the Week

That the American front finally
has been established, was one of the
most interesting features OF the war
news for the week, and it takes on a
particular interest when read in con-
nection with HIlaire Belloc's war
article in this weeks Forum, for
there is a very lively, possibility that
the American front will be the scene
Of the much advertised German Of
fensive this coming spring.
Up to the present, American troops
have been put into the trenches for
short periods Of seasoning, relieving
French attachments, and being
worked in with the French veterans.
Now, however, a definite stretch OF
the front has been taken over by the
Americans, and is being held by
them. How long that stretch of
front is, or how many men are
manning it, is, Of course. carefully
kept from the public.
The American front is just north
west OF the important French city Of
TouI, and is about equally distant
from the important German city Of
Metz.
In his weekly war article, publish
ed this week. Mr.. Bslloc shows that
this sector may be the scene of the
big German offensive.
May Beuin Any Time.
That this offensive may begin at
any time, is proven by a review Of
the previous winter campaigns. The
great Somme offensive began on
Feb. z, 1917, or just one year ago.
The first Verdun offensive began Feb.
n, 1916.
The great aerial activity along the
whole line, and the occasional artil-
lery duels. together with the frequent
trench raids, indicate a feeling of
restlessness and nervousness on both
sides. They show an effort to feel
out" the other lines, and gain early
information about any concentration
Of troops. This process may con-
tinue for several weeks yet or a
sudden blow may be struck at any
time now.
The important features of the war
news for the week, aside from the
establishing Of the American front,
are: the ending of the German
strike; the efforts to make a separate
peace between Germany and the
Ukraine: the revolution in Finland;
the cutting of communications be-
tween Brest- Litovsk and the outside |
world; the declaration Of holy war |
in Russia; and the sinking Of the
The German Strike.
The ending Of the German strikes |
was forecast a week ago. The iron
hand crushed out the attempt to |
bring about an immediate peace. The
Importance OF the German strike, |
was magnified by the hopes
Of the Allies II was an expression
Of extreme discomfort, and probably /
was not intended as the beginning Of
d revolution. It was a demonstra-
ton Of feeling rather than a deliber-
ate attempt to take control OF the
situation. The workers expressed
their dissatisfaction and returned to
work as they planned to do. It's inn
oortance lies in the promise held out
that the next time they may not re-
turn so readily. They are just be-
ginning to feel their power and TO
.hink for themselves.
The separate peace between Ger
many and the Ukraine, is probably
desired by Germany and by
! large majority OF the people OF the
Ukraine. This is one Of the most
fertile and prosperous provinces OF
Russia. 1t has set up a separate
which Is fighting the
andstWo sets Of delegates
ire at Brest- Litovsk. If Germany
,ouid consummate a separate peace
With the Ukraine her delegates could
'eturn home with something to show
or the long negotiations. They
would blazon the fact that the /