Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-05-30
BY K. WALTER.
BY Reciprocal. New. Service.

Loldaf, May ZI.-~lt may now ne
said with some assurance that Foch
has won his first strategical success
since assuming supreme command, be-
sides ma:y small tactical successes
achieved at various points on he line.
III the present phase OF the war it must
always be remembered that there Is
a great deal more happening at the
front than is reported in the daily bull
letins. ManeuSers OH q colossal scale
take place without as much as a hint
of them being n pubic. and a vic
tory or maneuvsr, which defeats the
enemy's aims lust as surely as any
bloody contest. Is none the less a VIC
tory for being won in silence. A sue
cess Of this nature appears to have
n:and.
Weak Spot Strengthened.
When Hindenburg struck last Marcel,
he u discovered a weak spot in the
line. Since his armies have been held
and have had time to be enewed in
strength he has been looking for
another opening. Great concentrations
have been observed behind his line
prepared to strike at the first oppor-
tuntty. Amiess and H~azebrouck, the
most coveted objectiyes. were so well
defended that the capture of either of
them by a further extension of salients
already intentionally deep would in
StiCb VII IN iS't III Ai'N
no weak spot was found. The alter
native to attack tho enemy where he
was a was to attack him where
he was strongest. The lie Of the land
as well as recent experience showed
the stronghold OF the British line.
Three weeks ago extraordinary con
c~entrations We're being held available
for ar extensive attack on this strong
hold. Aerial successes and the
strategic dispositions or Foch appear
to have defeated the encmy's plans, or
at least delayed them.
Cornercd by Focn.
If trey lave been defeated and the
work of many weeks has had to be
abandoned, Toch will have won the mi
.iative: even tho Gnqucstionable delay
caused by his counter measures may
nave that result But the German great
staff always works out an alternative
clan OF action. it n DC objected. The
question is whether the Arras plan was
not the alternative itsclf, Amiens and
the sea being always the main objec-
tiveE. In this case Eindanburg. or his
successor. might well choose to delay
further action until he could get
knowledge OF Foch's intentions. pre-
pared Tor a rapid and forcefu! reply to
any ounte offensive. But that is
where Foch would have him In IL cor
ner.
Allies Not Impatient.
We are not impatient: we shall no,
complain, however deliberate the acts
of III gcneralisst,no. Eindenburg has
a very different pubic opinion behind
him; the German people demand vic
tories with iha!r daily ra.ions. The,
have been told that this was the grea,
final victory offensive. Growing pub.
lie impatience AID tho internal condi
ton of Germany, caused by persisten
naval pressure, may OF any momen'
II n forced move.
In any case. here In London conf.
dence IN Toch has been greatly en-.
HANGED by tho silent events Of thes,
weeks. lIindoaburg was prepared t.
strike and the blow has been serious
~ delayed, possibly foiled. Foch ha.
won an advantage, IL not a victory
and mt the present ratio of influx o
American troepa the advantage is yer,
real.