The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-14
A MASTER STROKE
That Is What French Call
American Drive.
ga Genuine Victory Gained \ at
High Speed"
YhhKS IN PARIS IInnIzED
st. Mihiel Salient Was Wonder
fully Well Fortified.
Opening of Nancy-Verdun Rail-
way a Big Advantage.

Paris, Sept. 1.-THE American
army's main effort as an independent
force in the world war is regarded by
the French press and public as moth
ing less than a master stroke. The
further details that have come thru
showing the extent of the ground
gained and the great number of pris-
oners taken in two days in a relatively
small front, have more than borne out
the early expectations.
A Genuine Victory.
1.-THE American army has gained a
Colonel de Thomasson. the artillery
critic. who pays tribute to the Ameri-
can staff and troops for their having
in such a brief time attained the high
standard of efficiency they have dis
played.
To say that last nights American
official report revealed an achievement
far in excess of what has been expect
ed, is no disparagement of the Ameri-
can army. but the moral effect in
France seems in consequence of this
to measure well up with the military
results attained.
Lionize American Soldiers.
The American soldiers now in Paris
are being Eonized by the people of the
city who stop the men on the streets
and grip their hands in congratula-
ton over the victory.
III general the inllltary commenta-
tors prefer to reserve judgment of the
full effects of the offensive. until more
ample details are available.
Comment on Importance.
Paris. Sept. 14.-AIl the military
commentators dwell at great length on
the Importance of the first large scale
operation by the Americans on the
western front. Colonel de Thomasson.
one of the best known French military
writer's. says:
Salient Wonderfully Fortified.
SIT may be said at once that General
Pershing's shock army has given fresh
proof of the very high value OF the
American troops. To have crossed in
one bound (deleted by censor) is an
exploit the more brilliant in that in
this Woevre region there can be no
question of maneuvering. Our allies
are penetrating into very power
full organizations. During the year
1917. the interior of the st. Mihiel
pocket was. SO to say. honeycombed
with fortified works. While the Wot-
an. Siegfried and Albersch lines were
organized from Lens to the Chemin
des Danes. the Germans had con-
structed positions in = an almost
straight line from Bezonvaux (north-
east of Verdun and seven miles west
of Etain) to Noveant- Sur Moselle
running thru Labeuville and Puzieux
Expected Retreat in 1917.
I'VE even believed in the spring OF
1917 that the enemy was about tc
abandon the St. Mihiel salient at the
same time as the Lassigny one. They
did not, because they desired, first to
continue to encircle Verdun from the
east, second, to cut at st. Mihiel the
Commercy-Verdun railroad, obligint
| us to avoid the Commercy station and
| make a detour by Condrecourt to
communicate with Nancy: third to
| keep Briey mining basin far from the
| firing line. Those probably were the
| same reasons which stopped General
Ludendorff recently from straighten-
ing the front between the Meuse
| heights and the Moselle. an operation
which would have given him much
needed electives"