Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-09-04
oUTCLAssED AND oUT-GENERALED.

"
The one great outstanding feature of the allied drive
it its persistent and u~nvaTying success. Starting seven
weeks ago when the German guns were almost within
firing distance of Paris, the Germans were given their
first serious defeat at Chateau Thierry, by the American
marines and French. The allied armies have advanced
steadily ever since not meeting a serious set back in that
whole time. General Foch has attacked at one point after
another first with the British, then the French, and then
the Americans and occasionally all together, just to keep
the Prlssians guessing. AT every point of attack the re-
suit has been the same, the driving back of the Germans
with heavy losses, and the taking one after another of the
strongholds Hindenburg had considered impregnable.
Apparently General FOch is able to break through the
German front where and when he pleases. Yesterday
he sent the British forging through the enemy's lines
driving closer to Lens, and capturing Queant and with it
10000 prisoners.
Opposite Arras, the Wanted Hindenburg line has
been cut, a wedge being driven through it and the gap,
is seven miles wide. At many points the allies are with
in striking distance Of the line. 1t is not ready for oc-
cupancy, having been neglected, and there is no doubt
that General Foch will take it away from Hindenburg
for it's entire length within a short time. 1t is not so
much the magnitude Of the gains that have been made
that sounds the death knell to German hopes as the steady,
persistent advance that refuses to be denied and that
presses on over all obstacles. This advance has continued
seven weeks, without a hitch. That is what gives it its
Importance, for it shows the Germans are at last out
numbered and OutclaSsed both as to men and military
genius. 1t is estimated this drive has cost the Germans
in prisoners and casualties more than a quarter of a
million men. Hindenburg's claims that the shortening
of his lines would compensate for all losses are not ten
able. The new line, wherever it may be, will be as much
shorter for the allies as for him, SC he gains nothing by
that. In the meanwhile, during the month of August,
America landed 100000 of her soldiers in France, and if
the allied casualties were as great as those of the Germans
the showing would be a gain of $4,000 for them. The
Germans have lost 125,000 prisoners, the allies practical
1y none, so the net gain over the Germans from this source
would be 1851 900 and the added American force brings the
net gain to the figures mentioned, $4,000. Another fea-
ture is that for some time and until within a day or so.
the Americans have been held back and not used. The
great drive at Lens was made by the British alone and
most of the recent drives have been made without mater
ial American help. Just what Foch intends doing with
the American forces is all guesswork, but it is safe to say
thatwhen he sends them in in full force, it will mean such
trouble for the Germans as they have not yet faced. There
may be much fighting yet and much hard fighting, for
the Prussian leaders will not quit so long as they can in
duce the soldiers to furnish the cannon fodder, no mat
ter no ~whopeless the situation it. AT the same time it is
easily seen that the power of the Hun is broken, and the
beginning of the end is at last at hand. Yet we cannot
abate one jot from our preparations, for they are the
thing that will win and until we have won and the Hun
has quit there must be no let up or slackening of prepar-
alton.