The Sentinel=record., 1918-09-14
WASHINGTON AMUSED AT GERMAN CLAIMS
News is Kept From German People of the Loss of St. Mihile Salient in Twenty -Four Hours and Also the Loss of 12,ooo Prisoners After Being Held for Four Years.

Washington, Sept 13.-Complete wiping out of the St. Mihiel salient by General Pershing's army and cooper ating forces, many army officials here believe, IS only the entering wedge of operations of far larger scope.
 official dispat ches were still delayed and the full scope of the victory wor by the Americans in their first inde- pendent action could not be gauged 1t was regarded as probable, however that General Pershing's men still wert pressing forward to get in touch wlti the new line the enemy hopes to hold
 Until definite word comes as to the line across the destroyed salient which the Americans now hold officers will be unable to form opinions as to the most probable course future opera tions in this theatre will take.
 There is strong belief that the quick reduction of the St, Mihiel salient will be made the cornerstone of a great encircling movement aimed at iso- lating the German fortress of Metz, the central buttress of the whole Ger man front from the North sea to the Swiss border.
 The strategic importance of Gen. eral Persh:ng's smashing victory hardly can be overestimated, in the opinion of many observers. It is out of all proportion to the extent of the territory regained or the forces en- ployed, it is said, for the removel of this menace in the rear of the French citadel of VerGun, has released the French armies from that point to Rheims for active offensive opera tons. It also has liberated the rail- way line from Verdun to Commercy, Foul and Nancy, which will be of the utmost value to General Pershing and to the French armies on his left In supporting future operations along this front.
 It was the loss of this railroad sey- cred by the Germans in 1914 with the capture of St. Mihiel which placed the Verdun fortress in danger. and brought on the battle of Verdun.
 General Pershing now has signui- ized the entry of the American army into the war by smashing the enemy's only remaining salient on the whole battle front and smashing 1t in less than two days of fighting. Early re- ports fixed the number of prisoners taken at 12,500 by the Americans, and these probably represent the wreck age of at least three enemy divisions. No estimate of the war booty captured has been received.
 The German statement that the sa- lient had been evacuated without seri- ous interference caused much amuse- ment among officers in view of the number of prisoners captured. It has been estimated that seven divisions of the enemy were in the salient. in cluding those standing guard at 1t: Hanks. Probably not more than foul divisions have at any time been in the depth of the pocket and of thes more than one fourth have been cap tured Officers say that retreat CT fected at such a cost hardly can Ds considered as a successful evacua- tion and they are inclined to acoep the German statement as promulsatet for home consumption.
 It was said that for the high com mand to acknowledge that the frs American blow had plotted ou in lesl than two days salient that had beei held for four years and also cost th' Germans more than 12,000 prisoner in addition to their dead might agitat' the German civil population.
 ' At the same time. it is not doubt ! ed that the German leaders expected