Arizona republican., 1918-09-15
Have Gained Results Souoht


 WASHINGTON, Sept. 14.-Militarv observers here believe General Focn plans each phase of the offensive to reach some limited tactical position. while collectively the series of blows will serve to keep the entire enemy d, fensive line in a state of perpetual ,,n- rest
 Many officers believe the purpose will be shown more clearly as the win ter sets in by continued pressure agalnst the German lines all along tae front, to keep the enemy from stabiI lzlng his position and to keep his men rom getting any rest. There is no question in the minds of these officers that the supreme commander is aiming at the morale of the German army bv these harrassing tactics as much IS he Is at advancement of his own battle iront. Destruction of the enemy army. alter all they say is the only certain way to military victory.
 Hint at Further Drive General March. chief of staff, hinty,1 today at continued offensive by Gen eral Pershing on the St. Mihiel front At his weekly conference with neps paper correspondents he said the eI,pI- nation Of the salient furnished a bet. ter base for future offensive oper- ations. No official reports had come. however, to show the course General fershlng IS following since the two wings or his attack formed a junction and closed the mouth of the Sf MiliaI trap on the enemy.
 Berlin reported officially that Persh- lnSs men were feeling their way to- ward our new lines" east of Combres and northwest of Thiaucourt, Just l what time this referred to was not clear. It appeared probable tonight however, that the line of defense upon which the Germans have fixed will be found well to the north and east of the positions held by Pershing's out posts at last authentic reports. It is not believed here, however. that tho enemy will yield control of the Brjsy iron fields without a stubborn fight and PershinG is advancing directly to- wards that important region
 Meaning of Operations
 Discussing the American operations Of the last two days. General March said:
 "The old St. Mihiel salient was the first one that was established alons. the western front in September 1914 and is the last one to go; the narrow : est and most angular of all salicn;s. projecting F miles into the French line and having an important military bearing because it is across the rail way of the Mouse valley, cutting off Verdun from Commercy and Tout and leaving only one supply line, the on. that goes out to the west toward Reims. This salient was cut off by the American army in less than two days, part of Thursday and Friday, by quick sharp blows on both Hanks. On the south flank our troops ad vanced along a ten mile front between Vivray and Fey Have, up througf the undulating plain of the Woevro On the north flank on an eight -mil- front, they advanced across the height. of the Mouse, ridge which is six mile wide, and broken by deep, branchns ravines. By the evening of the frs day. the south flank had been driver l in five miles and the north flank thre l miles. By evening of the second ds F'ridayl the salient had been wipe l out.
 Shortens Line 22 Miles 'The removal of the salient shorten the line 22 miles restores rail com n munication between Verdun and S Mihiel and Toul and gives a very mucl better base for future offensive opera . tionS l1dn eAiSleu peloIe tnlS urlN E began.
 Tt is to be noted that the German communique says they withdrey quietly from this sector in accordanc . with a carefully arranged plan. hu this does not cover the $500 men the left behind They constitute the com batant strength of an entire Germai division.
 "AlI reports from the fighting sec tions in France indicate that sam high spirit, the lack of pessimisn ? which has always characterized oil troops in France and everyone get into the swing of it the minute he get there The quicllness and rapidity wit
 which they handled the fight at S
 Mihiel is attributed not only to tn fine staff work which brought it of :, but the individual soldier himself. | is hot stuff"