Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-10-04
YANKS WILL OPERATE
COAL MINE AT LENS
Units Expected to Go 10 Work As
Soon As Armies Clear Way; TO
Have Most Modern Machinery.
KING ALBERT DRIVES WEDGE
Operations Of Soldlcr.King Arc
Credited with Causing German
Retreat Now In Full Swing.

WASHINGTON, Oct 3.-The
German retreat from the Hinden-
burg line was in full swing today,
menaced by the French. Belgian
and British thrusts at vital points.
While official reports told only Of
the evacuation OF Armentleres and
Lens officers here confidently ex-
pected that this phase OF the with
drawal must be expanded to the
south at once under the threat OF
the British push northeastward from
their lines between the Scarpe and
Cambrai. As evidence OF tho COM
plete confidence with which the AL
lied leaders have studied the future
ever since 1t became certain that
the United States would succeed in
getting great army to France for
the fighting this year. II is now
known that re-occupation OF the
Lens coal fields has been definitely
figured on for some months In com
putting fuel needs and supplies,
There also are indications that
American coal mining units, equip
ped with the most up-to-date ma
chinery, even with THE means OF
fighting possible fires in the work
ings, will be ready TO enter the
mines as rapidly as the armies force
the enemy beyond them. General
Pershing's forces. no doubt, will get
some part of their coal this winter
from this source, relieving the ship
ping situation to that extent.
Albert Causes Retreat.
The force that compelled the
German leaders to order the evacua-
ton OF the LensArmentieres front
undoubtedly. In military opinion
here, was the wholly unexpected
rush in Belgium in which the Bel
gian army itself. under command
OF Its soldier king, formed the spear
head that broke the way for SWIFT
expansion OF the victory by French
and British forces. There appears
to be little doubt now that King
his capital on Belgian soil this win
ter.
Standing on the flank OF the Ger
man communication system from
Armentjeres to the immediate vi
cInlty Of Courtai, General Plum
er's second British army is believed
to hold the key to n wide stretch or
territory now in enemy hands.
Extension of the Franco Belgian
drive north OF General Plumer's
line, however. would permit the
British commander to move forward
TO the southeast in a wide encircl-
ing movement. For that reason 1t is
thought a new drive Is to be anticl-
pated on the Roulers front with
large French or British forces sup
the work of the Belgian
armies. II has been reported al
ready that an entire French army
has been shifted TO this front
Douai May Fall Soon.
Tho evacuation OF Lens fore
shadows the early fall Of Doual. al
ready closely pressed from the
south. It is now clear that the
grand strategy OF Marshal Foch
contemplated pinching the enemy
out of the whole Lille-Douai sector
and the abnormal quiet that has pre-
vailed along the Lens front up to
now is explained. The supreme
is today realizing the
full success of that plan.
II is believed here also that the
evacuation of Lens and Armentieres
had no place In the immediate Ger
man plans a week ago. On the con-
trary there seemed every reason for
this barrier on the flank to be held
and the first admission by the enemy
that the Hindenburg line was broken
came with the beginning OF his with
drawal Just west OF Rheims. II Is
apparent, therefore. that the plans
OF the German general staff for
falling back from the most
exposed position In the center and
along tho whole front from
a sector at a time already has been
shattered.