Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-17
EVENTS OF A WEEK

EVENTS OF A WEEK
The Picardy offensive launched by the British and
French has passed through the stages which marked
the Marine offensive which it succeeded, and which it
was intended to supplement. There was the initial
smashing blow. the rapid advance before the enemv mad
recovered from his surprise, the hurried withdrawal of
the Germans as they were pursued by swiftly moving
small tanks and cavalry, the occupation of town after
town by the advancing Allies, the hurting of big shells
into the ranks of the retreating Germans, and the par
tial stabilizing of the line due in part to tho bringing
up Oh German reserves and in part to the prudence of
the Allies in not permitting their extreme advance so
get too far ahead of their heavy artillery.
"
On July is the, Germans, while not in possession
OF Ann1ens, were within a few miles of that CITY. and
the railroads centering there were within easy range of
Inc German guns. This interfered materially with com.
ica between the northern and southern armies,
II between those armies and Paris. On the south the
Germans had reached the Marine, occupying q posnjoo
which menaced the eastern approaches to Paris and the
communications between the armies on the Lorraine
front and those farther west. After turning every avail
able spot In the great Marine salient into an ammunition
aepot, and massing troops in incredible numbers. the
Germans began the attack which was to outhank Rheims
and compel its evacuation, capture the roads leading
eastward from Paris, capture or annihilate the eastern
army and lead to the occupation of Paris.
The offensive for which such elaborate preparation
oeen made, and upon which so much had been
seaAeo' tasted Just three. days. Since then. without in
term'ssion' the Germans have been retreating and fight
ing on the defensive. The. strategy of Foch. and the
Tshting qualities of British, French and Americans have
cerumpled up the German lines, and have won back ter
rdtory which had cost the Germans a million men and
nfn NIT 80 -aA-:-,
= =
During the week there has been little change ~ tho
n leading from just north Of scissors to just north
OF Rheims. The Germans have been able IN nreven+ the
advance of the Allies in force north Of the ves,e ~
'ne general opinion is that the vesle will be abandoned
as soon as the Germans have got their men and guns
Z OF the area just to the north, and that the Aisne will
again become their main line Of defense. The hardest
AeA"ns u n week mas been. and is now, in the Picardy
fea "here the Germans are trying desperately to pre-
vent the capture of such important towns as Novon
Roye and Chaulnes. North of Albert the Germans have
moved out of their positions as far north as Bucuuov.
more than half way to Arras, and the movements are
such as to create the suspicion that the Germans NAV
be preparing for a retirement similar to that of more
than a year ago, when new positions were taken up on
the famous Hindenburg line.
= s
The working out Of two Allied ofensives within a
month gives fresh demonstration of the fact that If the
Germans have not lost the offensive altogether, it is fast
slipping from the1n' and that we are entering upon a
stage OF the war in which the Germans will be COM
pelied to fight on ground of General Foch's choosing.
and at times most suitable to him.
Cheering news has come to the United States in
the form OF an announcement that the First army Of
the American forces is now organized, with %1,25o,ooo
men under the command ne .enar,1 8or,h;.- II. -.
TO this army will be assigned a definite sector somewhere
In the neghborhood Of the Lorraine front, This means
that while represented as yet by fewer men. the Tinted
states occupies a position on the field exactly similar to
that occupied by the forces of Great Britain and France,
tnat the American general in command stands on
the same, footing with the commanders Of the British
and French troops.
Russia, the land Of mystery and miracles. is again
occupying q prominent place in the worlds attention.
Crushed and disorganized, and with the forces Of chaos
let loose among her people. destined, according to. the
German plans, to be the reservoir from which Germany
should draw slaves for her industries and material for
her subsistence, there are Indications that among her
people another revolution Is in progress, and that Ger
many may again. and very soon. have to take account
~ another east front which will not readily bend or
break, maintained by a people who, having listened "a
The voices Of. false prophets to their undoing.. win no.
again readily be deceived.
Among the military developments which are to be
ssnpted are the advances % Allied troops southwark from
Nrchansei the sprogrann of the czecho-sloysks in yari-
aeps Interior districts toward organization, and e,ectiye-
nssss ths q~ceupefion 81 vladivostok by considerable force,
sk Allies tnclln4ins number Of Amertcans. and the
Sgseupssioln sef ths casptsn port 81 Rakuu Sby ths Brsash,
sahish wnl dsprtvs Germany ~ accs4s to m. 81 ths
esx x1slraba "a No. onssths continent
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