New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-11
Enemy Faces
Flight todd.
Somme Line
Allied Attack on 45-Mile
Front Endangers Luden-
dorf Strategy
By Arthur S. Draper
Especial Cable to Tie Tribune

Copyright 1918 by The Tribune Association)
LONDON, Aug. 10.-Haigs success
grows hourly. His victory on the
Somme looms larger as the battle in
creases in magnitude and violence. AS
l write, the big points of the last twen-
ty-four hours are (1) the extension of
the lighting line south of Montdidier
which has now been captured; go the
entrance of the American troops, who
assisted the British in the capture of
Morlancourt and the heights to the
south where the Germans previously
had succeeded in blocking the advance;
(3) the rapid progress at the centre,
where Australians and Canadians now
are on the outskirts of Chaulnes; ~
the capture Of over 24,OO0 prisoners
and 400 guns.
The report of any one of these sue
cesses would be enough to ill the AL
lies with satisfaction, while the COM
bination is certain to strike terror to
the enemy
Endangers Entire Line
The battl efront now measures close
to forty-tive miles. The forced with
drawal of the Germans from the Mont
older salient seems certain. That
would mean Ludendorff's whole line
north of Compiegne would have to fall
back
If the situation is filled with high
promise in the south, it is no less
satisfactory IN the north, where the
English and Americans stood off Ger
man counter attacks after taking the
heights on the Somme. A further ad-
vance toward Bray would force the
Germans to evacuate the Albert salient.
Anxiety over the British left wing is
greatly relieved and the anxiety has
turned to confidence.
There is some question whether the
progress of the Canadians at Santerre
Heights is intended as a local opera
ton. In fact, there is no such thing
as a limited offensive, for in any sur
prise operation the attacking force
must be ready to take advantage of
every opening
Result Still in Doubt
Natural detectives are set in advance
of the attack, but that operations can
not cease the moment they are attained
was shown when Byng surprised the
enemy at Cambrai and the British were
unable to follow up their great ad-
vantage. In the present operation Haig
prepared for anything. The operation
may end suddenly or it may continue
for many days, as none can say when
the battle is concluded.
From eight to ten days has been the
limit of previous attacks, after which
the lines we're stabilized. On the
Marne Foch hit with his greatest
weight for three days and continued
to reap the reward for the following
fortnight. There may be a repetition
of this in the present operation for
the enemy cannot settle down where he
is now
To say that the enemy's power of re-
sistance has been broken is dangerous
prophecy. The Allies have been re-
lieved of two great perils-the threat
at Amiens and the threat at Paris. The
Germans have lost the initiative, but
where armies number millions they re-
cuperatc rapidly Ludendorff is being
sorely tried, his reserves have DOWN
died rapidly and his army is stagger-
ing, but the military decision will not
be found around the next corner
Allied Prospects Bright
The Allies prospects were never
brighter and Germany's hope of mill
tary victory is fading away rapidly. {
The outlook is mighty encouraging.
There are two distinct movements
along the southern end OF the front
The Canadians apd French driving
east by southeast toward Roye while
the French working north by north
Continued on page three