Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-07-20
MEMBER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, July 20, 1918.
TURNING Point Of the War


good news from the west front" IN
France was celebrated in American
cities by the blowing Of whistles an
ringing Of bells. And on Friday as
Thursday the French and American
advance continued in spite OF the
desperate resistance of the Germans.
MANY thousands Of German prison
srs we're captured. with correspond
Ing numbers Of guns and vast stores
munitions and supplies.
Two days OF lambasting the Huns.
ard ~ great enthusiasm in he allied
armies and in the homes Of allied
nations II is a wonderful asset for
the nations and the warriors fighting
for democracy and TO make the world
A. to live in.
The exact contrary is true every
where in the central empires where
an inkling o, the truth seeps in.
Gen. Foch timed his counter blow
for the psychological moment when
the German commanders had fully
had failed. when the morale Of the
German army had sunk to the loves.
ehh known since the great drive OF
1918 was begun: when Teuton sol
dlers. physically exhausted and war
weary at heart. were throwing them
selves down anywhere 10 sleep and
not caring II captured - then it was
that Foch struck and struck with
tremendous force with fresh troops
French and American reserves, mon
who we're fresh in body. and spirit
that would not he resisted.
n this sudden crushing blow by the
allied forces could cut off the Ger
man divisions in the big u" dipping
southwest from Sotssons to Belleal
and Vaux and around to Chateau
Thicrry. Fossoy and st. Agnau,
thence eastcrly 10 Rheims. then the
fifth smash would end in disaster
worse than that which befell the
Aus'rians on tho Pave, Yesterday /.
was evident from the bulletins Of
French and American progress that
tho Germans must. with desperate
haste. readius' their line, throw the
allied forces back. OF suffer disastec.
should the Germans successfully
pull out and readjust their line back
OF line drawn from Rheims 10 Sois
sons, without other disaster than thu
loss ~ 1000 10 $4,000 men and cor.
responding supplies and equipment
they will be exceedingly adroit am
lucky. hut tho work OF four months
win have been lost in three days :
IN case tho French and Americana
continue today as they did yester
day and Thursday
The Teuton situation is critical. a
this is written CFriday afternoon
Can they throw In reserves enousi
N hold the allied forces or even t
hold open the pincers while the Hun
as far toward Paris as st. Agna,
slip out.
We would not encourage our read
ers To expect an extended counter
drive by Gen. Foch at this time
Territory no longer counts on tn
west front. until the allied comman,
ha7 SUFFICIENT forces to drive straish
ahead into Germany. at the sam
timc protecting all lines of transpor
tation. Cen. Foch will not squandc
the value OF his demonstration 70
effect at home and in the ranks an
tho homes 81 the enemy. in the cost
Is buying Of useless territory. 1t
enough 10 prove beyond question tina
4, viii be long time before a HUI
sees Paris.
Gen. Foch has also shown tn
Kaiser and his gang that the sac
ritice Of a million German effectiv.
in the last four months has give
the allies unquestionable superiorit
IN man power. in spite Of all tn
forces withdrawn from the north an
east for the 1918 campaign.
Hindenburg was to be in Par
April /. instead he Is in we'll. "
don't know where he Is but he Is T
longer feared by democracy. tt
significance should be taken to hea
by the Kaiser. crown prince. Luder
dorff and others.
The big German drive has faiIe
The turning point in the war h:
been reached and passed. Ameri,
hes remembered the lusitania. Fro
this day on Germany reaps In aeov
che crop Of woe she has sewn in q
rosanes.
American cities and towns show,
their confidence and Joy on Frida
We believe IL Is the beginning Of u
end. but world events move slowl
let US not build our hopes too his
for Germany is still a powerful, r
sourcsful and INSCRIPTIONS fee, Al
while she knows that only a mira