Arizona republican., 1918-09-13
Employs Foch's Pincer Tactics

Employs Foch's Pincer Tactics.
 Later accounts made it clear. how ever, that for his first blow General Pershing had determined to employ the pincer tactics Marsh F'och has used with repeated success in hurling the foe back from the Marne and out of the Picardy and Flanders salients. The chance lay ready to the American lead CTS hand.
 Almost due south of the war wrecked forterss of Verdun, which has defied every German effort. the town of St. Mihiel stood at the apex of a great enemy wedge driven into the French lines and which all but cut Verdun off in the first German rush toward Paris. At the eastern curve Of this salient, American troops have stood months holding the lines. Ameri- cans were on the line between Verdun and St. Mihiel. but St Mihiel itself was held by the French, for the fate of Verdun rested upon that line. Roll Over Enemy Defenses. | Surging forward on a Emile front l to the east of St. Mihiel. Pershings men have rolled over the complicated defenses of the enemy all along the | line and thrust a steel shot paw out into the territory behind the enemy forces that hold the town From the other side. another American thrust has carried the lines forward to meet | the bulge from the east and a grim trap is being drawn about the enemy forces that remain in the salient It was only 20 miles across the mouth of the pocket and the reports tonight | showed that this had been closed in to less than 15 miles.
 May Make Retreat Rout.
 Through that narrowing gap the German forces in the depth of the salient must escape: and to withdraw without confusion that might turn the retreat into rout they must shake off the French forces which are battering them all along the St Mihiel front.
 On the face of tonight's reports. officers here believe there was good promise that General Pershing might succeed in closing the neck of the bag and trapping a considerable force.
 Attack Is Major Action
 The American attack as it now shapes up in major action. it is said and there is no doubt that the strong est American forces yet employed are engaged. Possibly quarter of mill lion American troops either are in ac- ton or in close reserve
 The advance of the eastern jaw rests on a wide base Reports indicate that it had broken through at the first rush until Gen. Pershing could fling out cavalry screen on both sides to prevent counter attacks on his Hanks. The very width of his battle line, however tends to protect him and also to give his initial thrust the power that will carry it across the road that is the only line of rereat for the Germans in St. Mihiel
 Presages Greater Blows.
 To many officers the action started today is but the forerunner of greater blows to come. They anticipate that General Pershing will follow up with out delay the clearing out of the St. Mohiel salient with actions of greater scope, probably directed toward the capture of Metz. With such an ad- vance, it is said, a French thrust from Verdun and along the front between Verdun and Reims would go naturally and the great movement to force the enemy out of all northern France and much of Belgium would be we'll under way