The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-08
The Var for the Week

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Two events overshadowed all other war news
for the week. They were the appearance oG
German submarines on this side Of the Atlantic
and the checking of the German drive on the
Afarne.
The former created interest out Of all pro-
portion to its real importance; the latter was OF
much more Importance than the news published
regarding it would indicate.
The work of the German submarines off New
York harbor might be classed with the Smelling
of open cities by German sea raiders; the bomb
ing Of defenseless towns from the air: and the
long range Smelling of Paris.
It was intended more German propaganda
than as serious effort to hamper American par
ticipation in the war.
The German submarines contented themselves
with sinking small coastwise steamers and SAIL
ing vessels. Whether they did not dare attack
we'll conveyed transport or not is not known,
but they left the transports severely alone.
Failed in It's Object
The presence Of the submarines on this side
of the Atlantic intended to strike fear into
American hearts. 1t was to show America what
a long arm there was behind the mailed fist Of
Prussianism. But like all other German at
ternpts at "Frightfulness' it was bungled, and
had just the contrary effect The Zepr6slin
raids on London were worth millions in advertis-
ing for the recruiting officers. The German
allies enraged the whole civilized world. The
Smelling of Paris solidified the French people
And the appearance of the German U-boats on
this side of the Atlantic simply gave impetus
to American preparations, and steeled the deter
mnaton of America to see it through
The loss Of life was nominal; the loss Of ship
ping trifling compared to other losses and the
present output; and the interference with mill
tary preparations, nothing at all.
Checked at the Marine.
The German drive on the Marine now appears
to be definitely checked and this was by far the
most important news Of the week.
The Marine drive was an alarming one. In
their previous offensives' the Germans paid a
terrible toll for the ground they took In the
Marine advance, they did not appear to be pay
ing the price they should during the first few
days That the alarming feature. 1t may
have been due to the surprise nature OF the at
tack. But whatever the cause they progressed
far too easily and rapidly to give any comfort
to the allies s .... l.. .....
But the story is a different one now The al
lied line is not only holding like rock, but
vicious counter attacks have been made at many
points, and for the first time in many weeks
themselves. At any rate they are giving the
Germans He'll" in popular war language, all
along the line of the new salient.
Americans Part.
The Americans are getting into the fighting
in a way that must be very heartening to the
allies. Even when all patriotic bias is dis
counted; and when every allowance is made
for little American bravado, there can be no
question but that the Americans have done amas-
ingly well in their first severe test, and that
weary allies. 1t is the spirit that is not con-
tent to sit and await attacks; that is not salts
battle victory It IS the sprt Of Wnnn tbe
war that the Americans possess in unbounded
quantities, and apparently the officers chief
trouble is to hold the back and prevent
them from overshooting their detectives, which
might prove just as costly as falling to take
them.
The Americans are now in five sectors Of the
'front.' northwest Of Toul, north of St NTihieI
east of Luneville, west Of Montdidier and in
In every front they are impatiently champing
at the Bit and eager for a chance to show their
mettle. -
Two chances were given during the week just
closing, and they not only acquitted themselves
with great credit but won. some notable sue
at least 1000 Germans, with very slight losses
to themselves, holding a bridgehead against an
attack, and Making terrific toll,
Then yesterday came the news Of the dashing
attack by the Marines, the soldiers of the sea"
whose boast is that they are the first to fight
on land sea-" The little village of Torcy
northwest of Chateau Thierry was the scene
of their attack. It was the tip Of the new
German salient, and they went over for a gain
of two miles along front of three miles. It was
a thrilling attack, perfectly executed, and com
pletely successful. The Marines even went be-
yond their detectives, and had to be checked
by their own officers to prevent, them getting
beyond support.
In Awkward Salient.
All along the whole line OF the new German
salient the allies are repeating the work OF the
Marines, although in no place has such a not
able local success been Won
The Germans are in a very sharp, Deep and
awkward salient and from Rheims all the way
around the salient to scissors, the allies are CIV
ing them no rest. They are not permitting the
Germans to settle down and reform their shat
tered divisions, but are forcing them to fight
continuously to hold what ground they have won
II such pressure is maintained 1t may prevent the
sudden shifting of the attack to another point,
rob the Germans of the initiative and possibly
bring most important victory for the allies.
since the German offensive began late in
March, there have been three distinctive often
slVes, but all of them are closely related. The
flrst was in Picardy, aimed at Amiens. The
second was in Flanders, aimed at the channel
ports. The third the recent drive toward
the Marne probably aimed at Paris All three
of them were pushed with the one big purpose
OF breaking through the allied line and gaining
a decisive victory by annihilating big part OF
the allied army. 1t was a supreme effort to get
IN knockout punch before the American forces
became too strong, and it has failed to date.
Whether or not the attack will be renewed
at another point depends upon the pressure the
allies bring to bear on the new salient. They
may be able to make it so uncomfortable for the
Germans there, that all other plans will have
to be abandoned If they cannot the next
attempt may be to connect the new salient with
the Picardy battlefield, and stralghtenkthe Ger
man lines by pinching out the allied salient
which has its apex northwest OF Scissors.
The situation is more hopeful than it has
been for several weeks past.
T. Wbn'S Who. Tn Tho DaU3e Novr7e