The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-05-04
The Var top, the Week

AT no time since the Germans launched
their great attack in the latter part Of
March, has the war news been so uniformly
favorable to the Entente Allies as during
the week ending today.
Both the actual fighting and what might
be called in slang terms, the war dope
tend to show that the turn of the tide is alt
hand. That does not mean that the Ger
man offensive is ended or even definitely
checked, but the silver lining is showing
through the clouds.
The good news may be divided under
four heads: the definite and crushing de-
feat administered to the Germans in Elan
ders on Monday; the growing unrest in
Austria; the opposition of the Russian peas
ants to the German occupation; and the de-
cisive evidence that Americas participa-
ton is being speeded up beyond even the
hopes of the most ardent war enthusiasts
six months ago
The Battle in the West.
The first Of these four heads covers vir-
tually all of the fighting Of Importance
during the week. Monday morning, the
fourth German army comprising some thir-
teen divisions, was sent forward on ff-
teen mile front in Flanders. It was most
determined attack that continued during
the greater part of the day. Dense waves
of infantry advanced against machine gun
fire, time after time, and they were beaten
back without even denting the allied line.
It was reported to be the bloodiest days
fighting of the battle, and probably Of the
war The German losses were frightful,
and they had nothing to show for them.
During the remainder Of the week, the Ger
mans were content to lick their wounds, =
and aside from artillery duels, made no
move against the allies. Friday evening an
intense artillery fire broke out in the north,
and the sequel to it will doubtless be found
in today's dispatches.
The French undertook restricted but
important offensive on Thursday, strength
ening their line in front of Amiens by re-
taking some important positions.
The only other news Of Importance dur
ing the week, was the announcement that
American troops are now fighting on the
front before Amiens
Situation Favorable
The situation at the end of the week is
decidedly favorable to the Allies, despite
the loss last week Of KENNEL hill. The
Germans must advance or retreat They
cannot stay where they are, in two big sa-
lients where the ground has been pulver-
lied by shell fire, and where they are con-
stantly exposed to the Allied artillery
which repeatedly cuts off supplies and
"strafes'' them night and day. To advance
is growing daily more costly, and every
foot has to be piled high with German
dead. To retreat might invite disaster.
In brief the crisis appears to be Germany s
now, more than it is the Allies. In this
connection it is highly significant that the
German papers are preparing the German
people for failure to take Ypres Ypres
no longer has any great military value I'M
less it could be suddenly taken and hur-
ried retreat from the sector to the north
forced, but it has great sentimental value,
and as in the case of Verdun, its capture
would have been heralded as q decisive
German victory.
Unrest in Austria.
The growing unrest in Austria is taking
most hopeful turn, the much discussed
Jugo-Slav state is beginning to be more
than possibility During the week came
reports that Bohemians were deserving to
the Italians in large numbers, and that pris-
oners Of Rumanian birth had asked per-
mission to organize and fight against Aus
tria.
The ethnology Of Austria Hungary is a
complicated study, and it will be powerful
weapon for the Allies if the German hold
weakens for moment More than half Of
the population Of Austria Hungary is com
posed Of races that are antagonistic to the
German domination, and that are seeking
self-determination. The Jugo- slays are but
one of these The Bohemians are another
The Russian Problem.
The Russian problem is growing
menace for Germany The Brest-Iitovsk
treaty is already nothing more than.a scrap
Of paper, and the brutality Of the Germans