The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-09
EVERY YARD GAINED
HELPS TOWARD VICTORY
E.fononic Fartors In War Problem
Solved by Recapture OF Territory
from Huns.
TEUroN PLANS CHECKED.
Coal and Ore Fields Seized Early in
War VIII Prove Immensely Useful
TO AIlies-Wnl Release Shipping.

Washington, Sept 8.-Every yard
az the allied troops advances on the
western front. especially to and be-
yond the Hindenburg line, makes
lighter the burden Of the United States
in the war. While no capital mas
greater or higher hopes of an early
military decision that will be nothing
short of disaster to the German war
machine than Washington, the
economic victories that are being reg
istered almost daily by the recovery
of terrain from German occupation
are of paramount Immediate interest
to high officials here who are playing
a large part in the winning Of the war.
Chairman Edward n. Hurley. of the
United States shipping board, finds
real and telling victory almost daily
in the progress of American, Brltisl.
and French troops. The lines AZ they
creep forward and envelop town or
district spell more TO him than to
the patriotic citizen who sees In the
advance the demonstration Of the
courage and superiority of the allied
troops and the master strategy OF
Generalissimo Foch, which must
finally bring triumphant victory over
the German arms.
The German high command, which
made the supreme effort and sacrlhce
AT the reckless expenditure of the lives
of their troops to gain the territory
which they are now sulienly evacuat-
ing. now put forward the false claim
that the reconquered territory, and
that lying just beyond the present
German line, is SO withered by the
flame of battle and barren of resource
as to be of no H3lue to themselves or
the allies
Chairman Hurley, faced by the
stupendous task of finding shipping
to transport the army of 1000 600
Americans to France. TO support that
army ana to supply food and NUM-
tions to the allies, finds new and
needed strength for the allies in al
most every foot of reconquered ter
ritory, no matter how the Huns have
laid it waste.
The capture OF Lens. II it has not
already been accomplished, is only a
matter of few days. and that Will
bring the coal bearing lands OF the
territory within the allied lines. That
means the release OF shipping now
employed to transport coal from
Wales to France. a necessity that
arose through the occupation by the
Germans of the rich coal and IRON
producing regions of France
There is no doubt that the Germans
Will make every efOrt to inftlct the
greatest damage possible to the coal
mines Which they have been operating
for their own benefit. but the coal de-
posts cannot be destroyed, and there
will be coal at hand for the French
and allied troops and for the war
needs of the French government when
Lens is once safely within the allied
lines.
The tonnage now engaged in carry
ing coal to France will be reduced
and the ships so released will mean
greater strength to the overseas fleets
OF America. England and France. and
make easier the transport of troops
and supplies from the United States
10 the seat of war on the western
front.
. Not far back OF the Hindenburg
line, and in the direction pointed by
the wedges now being hammered
home by the allied troops. lie rich
coal and ore fields, natural centerx
of war industry and of railway COM
munications If these. TOO. as seems
probable. fall into the hands of the
allied troops in the present drive, one