Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-22
ARsHALLTowN, IOWA. MONDAY, JULY p, 1918
Foch's Attack Model
In Art of Surprise

+ The tally Of pr100nerS taken Dy tnc
Franco Americans in their offensive IS
rising, apparently into the tens OF
thousands, and Scissors seems to be
within Frochs grasp: in fact. Its cap
tiire has been reported in Washington.
The railway to Villers- Cottercts has
been cut, and the main road between
scissors and Chateau Thierry Is com
manded BY, the artillery Of the allies.
In that sector the Germans find them
selves in a critical position. altho there
is no admission of the fact in their
official bulletin. General Foch has
turned the tide of battle. and it may
be assumed that only heavy concen-
trations of troops can check his rar-
.ther advance, the limit Of which is pot
to be conjectured.
His attack begun on July II was 4
model in the art Of surprise. He had
the Germans, on the run before they
were aware the battle had opened, and
he will press his advantage. He could
rely upon the dash and spirit OF his
own troops, and he was singularly
fortunate in the cooperation OF the
Americans, regulars, marines. and
National Gnard divisions. who were
as swift and even more impetuou in
attack than his own Frenchmen
Foch' opportunity had come, and it
may be assumed that he knows just
where his res orves are and how quick
iv he can match them against the
German reintorcements. Therefore op-
tin1ism is abundantly justified.
Why General Foch attacked at this
time and what his design was do not
yet appear. A theory that he OWNED
an intention of the Germans to make
their approach to Paris down the
Ourcq to Meaux and anticipated
it by launching his offensive on
twenty five mile front, does not seem
to stand the test Of the inquiry why
the weight Of the German offensive
was thrown into the scale south and
east Of Rheims. The only possible re-
joinder is that the enemy may have
been detected concentrating large
force between Leon and scissors. Did
Foch attack to divert divisions from
tho movement enveloping Rheims?
This speculation is, in most favor, on
the theory that no one understood bet
ter than the commander in chief un-
less it was his lieutenant Petain, what
the moral effect upon the French peo-
pie OF the capture Of verdun would
be.
There remains the e'sconjecture that
Foch, having found that the German.
offensive had lost power and speed,
resolved to take the initiative and
seek a decision himsels This Is an
Inspiring ccncsption, and ono can
imagine Haig cooperating In the
north with all his resources. Foch is
not general who fears his fate too
much and is unwilling to put 1t to the
touch For all his caution and restraint
there is something of the fatalist about
him. But If he is bent on taking his
turn in open warfare, and trying that
offensive which time and again he has
declared is the only road to success,
we may be sure that he has organized
for victory with the utmost thorough
ness. which is an additional reason
for faith in his star.
The present German offensive Is the
first since the Austrian debacle. In
this offensive therefore, as the mill
tary critic of1fhe New York Times sees
It, .Foch saw his chance while Ger
many was much pre- occupied in one
sector to strike in another, and to
strike, too, on sector where success
would spell the defeat Of the major
German plan. The offensive as 1t has
developed has already achieved re-
markable results. But there is no in
dication that it is intended to be more
than a great local effort, affecting only
the Marne salient Germany was at
a tremendous disadvantage on this
salient. To a slight extent, as far as
the front Of Foch's attack is concerned.
GermanK is operating on the outside Of
curve with Foch on the inside. But
this is the smallest part Of Foch's ad-
vantage The greater part is that the
Germans have nailed themselves down
to the southern and eastern sides OF
the salient and have not been able to
so control Foch.. He has kept himself
free, while conducting his defense to
move on the western side as well. The
Germans are deeply. irretrievably in
volved He is to a certain extent foot
loose.