The Washington herald., 1918-08-22
The Retreat Continues.

LudendorH is given rest by Foch no chance
to reform his shattered divisions no breathing
spell in which to stabilize his line or soidify his de-
tense.
The past forty-eight hours have brought con-
elusive proof that the drive is not halted In that
period the French have made important gains he
tween the Oise and the Aisne, and have now ad-
vanced to within two miles of Noyon, according to
the latest reports The British also have attacked
in Flanders with brilliant success
What is the Foch recipe? Some critics saw it
is simply series of hammering attacks, striking
with almost uncanny instinct at the enemy's weak
est point he shifts his reserves from one point
to another. The notable feature of the offensive of
the allies is its wide range. One day the British
open push in Flanders; the next the French
ind new weak spot in Pcardy. ripping open the
salient at another point which forces the line to
retreat trifle farther; the third day the Franco
American forces on the Vese initiate new blow
Gen. March yesterday referred significantly to
the Vosges, in relation to the American troops
there, and it is quite possible that the next drive
will come in the Asace-Lorraine sector, which the
American army is taking over as it expands and de-
velops.
There seems to be little question now that the
German will be forced to retreat to the Hinden-
burg line, farther back. Says Frank ST.
monds this topic:
What we seeing is the slow but sure re-
tirement Of the German out of all the country oc-
cupied by him the result of his earlier victories
and occupied with the intention of advancing upon
Paris by the Oise and the Marne routes after hav-
ing separated the French and British armies and
contained the British north Of the Somme His
offensive campaign is in the discard. Therefore
there is no reason why he should now pay a high
price for keeping that portion of his conquest
which is without value, since the purpose of his
campaign is no longer realizable. The German is
accepting the defensive from Arras to Rheims and
also from La Bassee to Ypres. He may still at
tack between La Bassee and Arras or east of
Rheims But his retirement over the rest of the
front precudes any renewal of an offensive directed
at Paris"
There is a greal deal of additional expert opinion
to the same effect. For two weeks now the Ger
mans have been slowly but surely falling back in
Picardy. When he strengthens one point of his
line where the Foch attack has become particularly
vicious, he is struck at another The result has
able to withstand He has reached the point now
where his tactical disadvantage in the salient that
he created last spring (or offensive purposes onlv)
IS more pronounced than ever. He is faced with
the necessity of expending human life in an aim
less campaign, for as Mr.. Simonds says his often
siVe IS definitely thing OF the past and he cannot
hope to regain the initiative
Therefore we may look for wide retreat II
IS not beyond hope that October may find the Ger
mans closer to the French frontier than thew have
been in four years.
Every day sees the thrust steadily progressing
and the TACT that Foch has gained firm grin on
the situation is increasingly clear,