Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-10
Every Hour Develops New
Perils for Sorely Harassed
Enemy Forces on West Front
Plea for Armistice
Is Berlin's AcknOwl-
edgment That leu
ton Forces Are Going
to Pieces in Face of
Terrific Campaign
Being Waged by
Marshal FOch

Washington, Oct. 9-Germany's
plea for armistice is founded. both
American and Allied military off,
Gals here believe. upon recognition
in Berlin Of the fact that the German
army organization in France is
slowly disntegrating under the ter
rife campaign Of Marshal Foch.
These officers regard the move of
the German chancellor as a desper-
ate eleventh hour attempt to escape
serious military disaster and they
would not be surprised il President
Wilson's condition that there can be
no talk of an armistice except when
coupled with agreement to withdraw
Immediately from all invaded terri
tory were promptly accepted.
The answer to such move, it was
suggested today, would be to leave
to Marshal Foch the dictation Of the
terms of the armistice should the
situation ever reach that stage as
the supreme commander can be
trusted to see that no military adj
vantage to the enemy resulted. In
the meantime, Marshal Foch hour
by hour is surrounding the German
forces with new perils as his stra-
tegy conceptions are developed.
Evidence of the waning resisting
power of the German forces in
France was plainly seen by observ-
ers here in the sweep forward Of
the Anglo-American forces north Of
st. Quentin. Apparently there has
been no material lowering of the
fighting qualities of the enemy sold
iers but there is every evidence that
the complex military organization
upon which defense of the long bat
tie front depends is breaking under
the strain. Signs of confusion have
been noted repeatedly Worn out
divisions have been called upon to
check the assault of fresh allied
troops and have been cut to pieces.
These are signs only for the en-
envy front still offers grim obstacle
to the advancing armies and the
battle is growing daily in fury in
stead of lessening. But the signs
are there. They mean vital weak
ness at the heart Of the great ma
chine; the absolute lack of the men
and war equipment to meet the COM
bincd assault.
hot NncAI,r Tho
sea two salents are developing. The
first has it's apex along the Laon
front, where the enemy still c!ings to
ST. Goban forest and part OF the Che
min Des DANES ridge. These condi-
items have greatest depth before
Lens. Between these two pockets. the
Anglo-American drive supplemented
by the French advance east OF st.
Quentin, has thrust blunt wedge
which not only has engulfed Cam
brai but has torn its way through teh
whole Hindenburg defense zone into
open country beyond. 1t can strike
either north or south at need to
squeeze the pocket on either side. or
can be carried ahead to smash
through vital communication lines.
On the north the British forces
pressing in on Lille from the west
and north forms the northern Jaw of
a possible pincer movement against
the whole Douai salient. The Ger
mans began a retirement on the
Lens -Armentieres front some time
ago, which they have checked fear
ing probabl the development Of their
Douai front unless that also could
be relieved simultaneously. The cap
ture If Cambria now threatens this
front from the south as well and it is
believed here that the enemy must
move Immediately out Of the whole
Lille-Doual region.
The situation looks to be even more
critical on the Laon front. From the
north the British broke through al
most certainly give the allies COM
mand Of the Disc valley in matter
Of hours with open ground before
them in a movement southeastward
on Laon itself To the southeast, the
French troops under General Gou-
raud already are across the Aisne
and are turning the enemy position
on the Suippe still farther east with
the Americans aiding.
The Suippe line offers little hope OF
prolonged resistance as it is supported
by few strong hill positions and the oc-
cupation of the Aisne valley in the near
future seems a certainty. That would
leave the enemy along the front in St.
Gobain> forest and the heights to the
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