Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-31
Germany's Awful Sacrifice I'm Vain

Ii
THE tenth day Of the greatest battle tho
world has ever witnessed has passed., and
tho allied lines rot only have not been
broken, but the fury OF the German attack
has perhaps reached its climax of strength
ard achievement II tho first stage Of the
st.pendous struggle to break through and
reach the objective of the whole carefully
planned and efficiently prepared campaign.
If the allies can firmly hold the vital posi-
lions to which they have now retired, of
which the developments OF the past two days
seem to assure, the military advantage thus
far gained by the enemy in determining the
final issue OF the offensive, i'll the light OF
the enormous sacrifices of life it has cost, is
negligible. The great offensive has slowed
down TO a series Of ba tiles at different points
on scventy-milc front, in which the advan-
tage from now on must steadily turn in favor
OF the allies, who, with unaffected morale,
strengthened forces and growing confidence
have turned on the we-nigh exhausted foe
far removed from his base of supplies, with
his long, irregular battle front dangerously
Vulnerable at more than one vital point
On the part of the allies. this favorable
situation has been achieved at minimum of
cost, as compared with the stupendous effort
launched by the enemy, without as yet hav-
Ing brought into the engagement any ap-
preciable portion of their regular reserves
and with their magnificent army Of ma
neuver" Of close on to million seasoned and
well-tralned troops not yet thrown into
action.
The second stage Of the great battle is
now about due TO begin. 1t may be in
augurated at any moment by the launching
of the allied coun teroffensve, for which this
great reserve army was created, and which
but awaits the opportune moment to set It
IN motion; or 1t may be that the enemy will
resume the initiative in a further desperate
10 no of cd
and drive through to the attainment of his
original objective.
Fortunately, the allied plan of strategy
has fully matured, the means with which TO
carry it into effect arc at hand, and the great
military leader to give il direction has been
appointed to the supreme command Of all
the allied and American forces General
Ferdinand Foch. gcueralssimo of all tho
allied armies. is the acknowledged greatest
military genius of the allied world. He has
been the central figure in the flercest battles
that have been fought in France during the
war, and has an unbroken series Of victories
10 his credit. In him combined the genius
and driving qualities of both Lee and Jack
son. His appoint mcnt TO supreme command
OF the allied armies is triumph for Ameri-
can military policy President Wilson having
consistently urged unifcation of all the
armies opposing the Germans under the
leadership of one man, and when opposition
to that policy had been overcome the eyes
OF all turned to General Foch as the man
for the occas ion
Tho issue OF the whole war promises to be
decided in the outcome Of the successive
stages of the great offensive nov under way
The battle may be prolonged one month two
months, three months, but its conclusion will
he far and beyond a second Nerdun; it will
be nothing short of another Waterloo and
General Foch is the Duke of wellington who
VIII direct the blow that is destined to crush
the power OF Prussian militarism forever
Let the great heart of the allied peoples
united in spirit and aspiration. turn away
from the agony OF long-drawn-out years and
lift itself III hope, inspired by mistaken con-
fidence in the righteousness of its cause, and
look for the cleaning Of the breaking dawn
1t is coming; it is almost here