Evening journal., 1918-07-22
FfeHch VaIor Won Highest Command

principal objectives. The victory wa,
one OF the most remarkable Of the war
Not only were all OF the objectives
attained, but these objectives flankine
the Germans and taking them In the
rear forced before the end OF the week
the German evacuation OF their entire
line OF positions on the northern slope
Of the Chemln des Danes and their re-
tirement across the Allette.
To Aid OF Italy.
With this military effort and these
victories TO her credit no one would
have denied TO France the right to
rest on her lsurels for the remainder
OF the year. But precisely at that mo-
ment, the Austro-German offensive
against Italy met with It's unexpected
success and without stopping for a
single instant to consult her own in
terests or her own risks, in the case,
France. within twenty-four hours, had
one Of her finest armies enroute for
Italy.
There, on almost the last day OF the
year, the French expeditlonary corps
won another glorious Victory In its
famous attack on Monte Toma, in
which only 1000 Alpine chasseurs not
only captured the summit OF the noun
tain but inflicted on the Austrlsns
losses exceeding twice the number Of
French infantrymen engaged. Over A.
500 Ausirlans were taken prisoners by
the French chasseurs while over 500
Austrian dead were counted on the
field Of battle.
Already as a result OF this remark
able military effort, France was begin
ming, almost unconsciously as II were,
30 receive the acknowledgement OF her
military leadership Of the Allies. In
the Allied war councils both at Ra-
pallo and Versailles that followed the
Italian disaster and its re-establlsh-
ment, French generals and military
leaders were given an ever increasing
recognition OF leadership.
Then after nearly three months Of
waiting came the great German offen-
sive OF March q. The attack was made
against The British line a short dis
tance above its junction with the
French front A gap was made in the
line and without question the Allies
faced the most critical and the most
crucial moment since the battle OF the |
Nfarne. But again French military gen. |
ALo Nl tAAt part IAulAlt > ttnHA dis \
and French abnegation and heroism on /
the part OF the French soldiers enabled |
France to ill the breach.
But France had done more than MI /
the breach. She had won recognition |
Of leadership and superiority that coulG
no longer be denied and at last the
supreme command Of all the Allied |
armies on the western front passed to
a French general and French staff.
But this recognition OF French mill
tary genius was not confined TO the
high command alone. II was extended
10 the humble 'poilu" as well. His
endurance, his patience. his vigor, his
virllity, his heroism and above all his
esprit de corps" were things that
must also be recognized for the good |
Of the Allied cause.
French units therefore passed 10 |
other portions Of the front where their |
admirable qualities might serve as in |
splration 10 Americans. Tommles, Bel |
CLANS and Portuguese. while units from |
all these armies passed likewise into |
French sectors Of the front where they
might benefit ever more quickly by
contact with Frances poilus.
Thus. with the opening OF the fifth
year OF the great war, the western
front presents what Is In reality one
great army under one great French