The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-04

With the evacuation of Lens the en-
 emy's hold on the great coal region of
 northern France is loosened. <, Nothing has beer received as yet to show whether the mines have been fired; but it is regarded as certain that during the years of German occupation the great fuel storehouse below the surface has been worked to the limit
 As evidence Of the complete confidence with which the allied leaders have viewed the future ever since 1t became certain that the United States would sue ceed in getting a great army to France for the fighting this year, it is now known that fe-occupation of the Lens coal fieids has been definitely figured ou for scme months in computing fuel needs and supplies.
 There also are indications that A.let'- caa ccal m'ning units equppal with lhe most up-to date machinery, even with the means If fighting possible fires, in the workings will be ready to enter the mines as rapidly as the armies force the en- emy beyond them. General Pershing's force no doubt will get some part of their coal this winter from this source, re- iieving the shipping situation to that extent.
 BELGIANS FORGED EVACUATION
 The force which compelled the German readers to order the evacuation of the l1ens-Armentieres front undoubtedly in military opinion here, was the whollv unexpected rush in Belginm in which the Belgian army itself, under command or It's soldier king, formed the snea rhead that broke the way for swift expansion to victory for French and British forces mere appears to be little doubt now that K inv IIAr-t his capital on Belgian soil this winter although much depends on the weather
 Standing on the flank of the German communication system from Arnentiere. 10 the immediate vicinity of Courtai General Plumers Second British army Is believed to hold the key to a vida stretch of territory now in enemy hands me Wide put rather shallow pocket which is forming between this line alone the Lys river and the British forces inst beyond the Scarpe to the south includes she most thickly settled area through which the battle lines pass on any par, Of the front and the numerous towns and villages offer the enemy great op. portunity for slow withdrawal and ma. chine gun rear guard work.
 ROULERS DRIVE ANTICIPATED |
 Extension of the Franco Belgian drive north of General Plumers line. how. ever would permit the British comman. der to move forward to the southeast in wide encircling movement For that reason it is thought new drive is to be anticipated on the Roulers front with large French or British forces supple uienting the work of the Belgian armies. It has been reported already thai an entire French army has been shifted 10 this front
 The evacuation of Lens foresha dows the early fall of Douai, already closely pressed from the south It is now clear that the grand strategy of Marshal Foeh contemplated punching the enemy out of the whole Lille-Douai sector and the abnormal quiet along the Lens front up to the present is explained The supreme commander is realizing today the full success of that plan
 The evacuation of Lens and Armen- tieres, 1t is believed here, bad no place 1n the immediate German plans a week ago. There seemed every reason for this barrir on the flank to be held and the first admission by the enemy that the Hindenburg line was broken came with the beginning of his withdrawal just west of Rheims. It Is apparent therefore that the German plans tor graually falling back on the most ex- posed positions on the center and re,ir. ing along the whole front from sestoi at time already has been shattered
 What effect the break in the north may have on the remainder of the line remains to be seen. Undoubtedly, it is said, an element of successful with drawal will be necessarily the con centration of great force to pre-