Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-06-03
FOCH AND THE OFFENSIVE

1t is not pleasant to read the dispatches that coma
fr m day to day and learn that in their new offensive
the Germans are making fresh gains of considerable i'm
2ortance, and that they have, apparently, strong forces
in reserve with which to push their gains vet farther
The Allied lines hold, and as in the former effort y has
been impossible for the Germans,to break through them
But the Allied lines are being forced back, and this is
not what any Of us want.
Inevitably these reverses result in comment and
question implying criticism Of the handling of matters bv
the allied Command, and, as General Foch is in supreme
control' the criticism is certain to be directed chiefly at
MIN. People are asking where the reserves are, and why
they have not been used either to prevent the German
advance or to start an independent offensive.
The why's and wherefores Of what is being done = Ia
You'd the comprehension Of most of us, but for the sake
OF our own peace of mind. and in order that there may
not be created an atmosphere Of gloom which would i'm.
pair very seriously the morale of our own people and OF
those who are associated with them in this war il ia i'm.
portant that certain facts be kept before US.
After three and a half years of the bitterest war that
n worio mad ever seen, General Foch was placed in SUI.
preme command Of the allied armies in France nv the
united action Of all the nations participating. In those
forty-odd months the~capacity of many military m y,
renown had been tested in a crucible whose fiery heat
no base metal could stand. And, in the light of the
experience of those years. and in the light of his own
record as commander and master of stra tegy, Foch was
selected as the one man who was fitted for the prea+
work to be done. We must assume that the men who
made this selection had knowledge of the situation and
OF the character Of the man whom they chose to meet
it. 1t will not do. therefore, because in a little over two
months General Foch has not changed the course of a
great world war to assume that he is lacking in will or
ability.
AS to reserves. we do not know. There are allied re-
serves, of course. but just where they are, and how many
Of them there are are matters which General Foch and
his immediate associates are keeping to themselves. This
much is crtain, however: Wherever the allied reserves
are, and however many Of them there may be, thew are
not strong nough in the opinion of tho commanding gem
eral to warrant their being thrown bodily into this fight.
Naturally. If Foch had the men and the material, he
would walk through the German lines at the most con-
venient point and put an end to the war. But the allies
have no such advantage, and no such possibility presents
itself. And, for reasons, which seem good to General
Foch, and which must be accepted by the rest of us there
is a continuation Of the former plan Of outstanding re-
sources, holding ground with small forces as long as it
can reasonably be held, retiring to new ground when
necessary. and always forcing the enemy to the greatest
and most costly effort It may be necessary to continue
that method for weeks or months. If SO. the territorial
gains which the Germans have made are merely the be-
ginning. But II Foch can continue that program until the
stupendous effort has told its tale in its effect on the Ger
man strength. and until he hastn the meantime accumu-
lated a vast army OF fresh forces composed Of British,
French and Belgians who have been withheld from the
fighting. and Of great bodies Of Americans from across the
seas. then he will be IN condition to strike a blow which
will shake Germany to its foundations.
THE QUERUL Gus COMPLAINER
President Wilson recently urged congress to remaih
in session until the new revenue law could be perfected
and passed. on the ground that the people who, must. in
any event. pay the taxes. may have information as early
as practicable on the manner In which their taxes are
- ~ >~s.A 1n> -I.x~..F. 81 .g.mM%i