Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-27
ON KEEPING OUR BALANCE

XXI tnln6 r happening over In France, and
when stirring things are in progress it is highly import
ant that we keep our balance. Otherwise we are likely
on one day to rise to the very heights of exultation. only
to be plunged the following day into the, depths of de-.
SPAR.
On Thursday evening reports became current in
Washington that the entire army of the German crown
prince had been captured. and with it the crown prince
himself. 1t was impossible to ascertain the source of these
rumors, but they were so general and so persistent that
the men in charge of the Associated Press service felt
warranted in sending out to the country the information
that such rumors were current. That was done, and tho
Associated Press papers published the fact that these
reports were in general circulation at the national CAPT.
tai.
In spite Of the fact that it was specifically stated
that these reports were given as reports only, and that
there was nothing in the nature of confirmation of them
from official sources. many people jumped to the con-
clusion that what had been reported as a flying rumor
was an actual fact. All day yesterday The Herald was
deluged with telephone calls from the city and from
various sections OF the country asking If the story were
correct. In many cases inqurers were inclined to be a
little resentful when they were informed that the report
OF the capture had not been confirmed, and that there
was no reason to believe that it was true. The Herald's
experience>was undoubtedly similar to that of every daily
paper in the country.
Almost anything is possible in war; but there was
N"oSS *OoooAAAIy - I4c capture II lie Ter
man army at the time that the report was current. The
battle line from scissors to Rheims resembles the letter
v. with a very much rounded point. Across the top runs
the river Aisne, and behind it is the country occupied by
the Germans. and into which the Allies have no prospect
OF penetrating in the near future. The Germans who are
endangered are those within the triangle. Along the
upper portion of the left leg of the line the French are
driving in! Lower down, and just around the rounded
oottom' are the Americans. To their right, still along
the rounded end, are more French, while French, British
and Italians are making dents in the right line.
At every point tremendous pressure is being 'exerted
against the Germans, and Allied gains are being made
on each sector. According to all available reports. the
Germans are withdrawing their forces northward, in the
meantime holding back the Allies as best they can. It is
evident that the Germans are in serious trouble, and
that they are practically certain to lose a great many
men. The capture of an army is a different matter. That
can be accomplished only by the narrowing of the mouth
of the sack, an operation at which the Allies are indus.
triously at work, but. in which they have not vet succeed
ed to a degree which places the main German army in
immediate danger of capture entire.
AS to the crown prince, the chances are that II his
army is captured, and when that interesting event occurs
the prince will be elsewhere. And, while His ROYAL
Highness is a boorish and unmannerly cub, it is no dis
credit to him that he is not likely to be in a position
where his capture will be probable. While the actual
operations are being conducted by real military men, the
young upstart is the titular commander of the arnnv
which is receiving such a lambasting from the Allies. 1t
is the business of a general to direct his forces. not to
fight with them. The general. except in rare cases,>must
keep well back of his lines. not particularly for his own
safety, but in order that his duties may be tntellieently
performed.