The Washington times., 1918-07-27
By J. W. T. MASON.
right, 1919, By the Unitsd PToal


NEW YORK, July 27.-Ths fourth
year Of the war Is ending with the
strategic initiative dramatically re-
stored TO General Foch along the
Afarna, following Americas Arst CO.
operative engagements with the
allies
The arrival OF Americas first mil
Lon troops IN France, insuring the
final defeat OF German militarism has
been the most important event OF the
fourth year Of the war.
The turning point in modern civil
ization will probably be dated BY
future historians from the year of
strife now closing, because OF Amer
ica's resolve to consent to no peace
until the Hohenzollern menace TO the
world Il crushed. Despite the fact
that American troops have played
only a minor part In the years Tight
ing, the United States has predomI-
nantly Influenced the strategy Of the
fourth year by the war. The out
standing battlefield facts Of the year
have been Won HfndenburEa mad
dened efforts to break the BTittkh and
French fronts, and General Foch's
counter policy OF patient defense.
HindenburESs Motive.
II was fear Of Americas fast aceu-
mulating military strength that con-
PEELED Won Hindenburg to engage In
hts campaign Of ruthlessly sacrificing
his own troops; and 1t was the
knowledge OF the overwhelming re-
endorsements America was sending TO
the allies that permitted General
Foch TO see his lines driven back,
without loss OF morale to the allied
forces Every major plan worked out
in Berlin as well as In the capitals
OF the allies this year has similarly
been based fundamentally upon
Americas forthcoming major aettvi-
ties in the war.
The necessity for these plans WA
fully justified at the trst serious en-
counter between the Americans and
the Germans. which occurred eleven
days ago south Of the Marns, opposite
Jaulgonne. Won Hindenburg's nth
offensive was shattered by the Amer
lean counter attacks. which forced
the Germans to retire 70 the north
bank Of the river. - 5-ez -.
The American success was especi-
ally significant because Il was the
first time American officers and men
had been tested In the difficult tactics
OF counter assaults. Following this
early promise, the Americans contrib
uted similarly effective aid to General
Foch's cautiously developed drives
between the Aine and the Name,
which are stil proceeding. -.
The American successes during the
year in Pieardy and In the Chateau
Thierry sector have been minor az
fairs. regarded as isolated engage
ments. But all the victories Of Won
Hindenbprg In Flanders, Picardy and
Champagne do not compare in their
ultimate consequences with the prom
ise to world democracy contained in
the American operations at Cantigny,
Belleau Wood and Vaux
PFusHian Threats
Starting the fourth year OF the war
with arrogant threats to the allies OF
new changes in the map Of Europe
unless the successes of the German
armies were accepted as decisive, the
German government has ended the
year by confessing that battlefield
victories cannot bring peace. For
eign Minister Won Kuhlmann's pro-
nounccment to this effect in the Reicbs-
tag ranks second only to Americas
immense war preparations as the
years most significant event The
reluctance of the Raiser's militarfsts
to compel the resignation OF Won
Kuhlmann Immediately after his re-
pudiation of the invincibility of the
German army is indicative Of the so
boring effect the presence OF 1,000.-
having even on Won Hindenburg.