The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-11-08

les, but because Field Marshal Foch
and his lleutenants have developed
new tactics and the German makers
Of war have not worked out a way
TO counter them. For, placed as the
allies now are. with Increasing num-
hers of Americans becoming available
daily for the fight, the problem il one
almost incapable Of solution by the
Germans.
+. Seemingly, the Germans, II Berlln's
WAT communicates may be taken az in
1icsting their conclusions, have not
even grasped the Significance of
E0ch's strategy. or II they have, the
war lords are keeping 1t very dark.
TRe official German communlques
lies to effect "break through" just
rs the Germans failed to club their
way through the French and British
lines In March, April, May, June and
July. That's where the Germans
makt their first mistake. The allies
are not trying to effect a "break
Through" FOch has not yet reached
that point In his offensive plan.
Foch's strategy Is based upon
''liquid" or shifting offensive. one
which 1, started on comparatively
morrow front, designed to gain linn
tied Objectiyes. II these are obtained
then the attack may be widened, and
when the Germans bring up reserves
the plan is to hit somewhere else.
Thus the whole German line Is kept In
constant state OF dread and anticipa-
ttOn, while unable to retrieve the Of
fensive 30 skillfully welded by FOch.
~ Hun Plan Of Attack.
Ludend0rff's plan of attack was
bimply to break through the allied
line by sheer weight. He struck only
After weeks Of careful preparation, de.
voting all his forces to the one sa-
1fent attacked. AS his blows lost mo-
mentum and ''petered out" he wns
khen compelled to start all over again
on some other sector. Each offensive
WAS a separate enterprise. and when
be drained dry the possibilities OF
each, his strategic successes were un-
important. He failed to accomplish
what he set out to do. Ludendorff's
blcws were along the same lines OF
every other big German movement,
inch as brought Successes against II
weaker force. as In Roumanla, Serbia.
and at CapOretto. Ludendorff evident
~ paid no attention to what Foch
had in mind for LIdendorff hoped for
q crushing success. and with that the
plans Of the enemy mnttered little
During all Of the anxious months
of the German drives, Foch was guild
ed by a maxim laid down by himself
when Instructor ut the French STAFF
c0llege, which held
"Ec0nOmi2e forces while keeping
the combat nOurished. right up to the
moment when we shall pass from such
y preparation 10 the main attack"
That principle has been Foch's guild.
ipg etac. FSch economzed forces
WhenstAS enemy wasted his In abor-
tive attempts to break through. Foch
yielded ground, when he could with
cut endahgerlng his strategic position,
rather than waste men. He was saw
)ng his resources for the time when
Che Germans had welded their club
% vigorously that exhaustion Of Ger.
pnnn reserves took away the terror
pf the club.
Continued Hammerlng.
! That principle IL AT the basis OF all
The allies have done since July ~.
when the Franc0-Americans started
tLeir counter offensive which drove
the Germans back to the Vesle. The
second battle 0f the Mnrne had nc
more than ended when the third bat.
Tue Of the Somme begnn. with Halps
attack on the Amlens front. Wills
German reserve divisions were thrown
IN 30 halt this drive. Mangin struck
On the Aisne front and this battle had
no more than thrown greater conster-
nation and confusion In the German
cOtamsnd Than Byng's blow was d.
lfvered on the Ancre. Eocll was work,
Sng out his principle OF "llquld Of
esDsivs," keeping the "batte nourish-
I'D" and working toward the moment
when the allies shall "pass from prep
hrstion 10 the main attack"
Before the main attack IN delivered
The allies must be much stronger than
they now are. In consequence of con
ttnued hammering the Germans also
will be very much weaker. The main
attack will not be struck until there
- every reason to believe that 1t will
win aud shatter the German army.
Thus the present fighting resembles
IN great measure dueling match, eS
eept that the allies have cominan
der in chief who knows how 10 wiel,
. sword, how 10 parry aud thrust
while the opponent is only versed II
the art OF welding club II Is he
cause the opponent is still stronl
that the thrust cannot yet he made
which will lose him the combat.
All Of the allied blows since TIT
second battle OF the Marne have becl
delivered. at the outset, from II mar
row front, which steadily expands "a
The blow is driven home. This pial
has ms m6ny<Ssdynutapes lt'H pasier [,