The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-05-30
BY n. WALTER.
By ReciprccaI pIcws Service.

Londan, May 27.-It may now be-
aid with some assurance that Foch
has won his first strategic3h success
since assuming supreme be-
sides many small tactical successes
achieved at various points on the line.
In the present phase Of the war it
always be remembered that there is
u great deal more happening at the
front than is reported In the daily bul-
letins. Maneuvers on a colossal scale
take place without as much as a hint
Of them being made public, and a VIC
tory or vancouver, which defeats me
enemy'9 aims just rs surely as any
bloody contest, Is none the less q VIC
tory for being won in silence. A sue
cess Of this nature appears to have
been the first fruits Of the single COM
mand
Weak Spot strengthened.
When Hindenburg struck last March
he had discovered q weak spot in the
line. Since his armies have been held
and have had time to be renewed in
strength he has been looking for
another opening. Great concentrations
have been observed behind his line
prepared to strike at the first oppor-
tunity. Amiens m HaEebrouck, the
most coveted detectives. were so well
defended hat the capture OF either of
them by n further extension Of salients
already urcomfortably deep would In
vite disaster. On the rest Of the line
no weak spot was found. The alter
native to attack the enemy where he
was weakest was to attack him where
he was strongest. The lie Of the land
as well as recent experience shoWed
the stronghold of the British line.
Three weeks ago extraordinary con-
~,entrations were being held available
tor an eXtensive attack on this strong
hold. Aerial successes and the
strategic dispositions Of Foch appear
to nave defeated the enemy's plans, or
at least delayed them.
cornered by Fooh.
II ttl have been defeated and the
work vt many weeks has had to be
abandoned, Foch will have won the ini-
t.ativs; even the unquestionable delay
caused by his counter measures may
have that result. But the German great
staff always works out an alternative
plan OF action, it may be objected. The
question is whether the Arras plan was
not the alternative itself, Amiens and
the sea being always the main objec-
tives. liz this ca5 ~Hindenburg, or his
successor, might we'll choose to delay
further action until he could get
knowledge Of Foch's intentions, pre-
pared for q rapid and forceful reply to
any counter offensive. But that is
where |och would have him In a cor
ner.
Allies Not Impatient.
We aro not impatient: we shall not
complain, however deliberate the acts
OF our gcneraljssimo. Hindenburg has
O very different public opinion behind
him; tho German people demand VIC
tories with their daily rations, They
have been told that this was the great
final victory offensive. Growing pub
lie impatlence and the internal condi-
ton OF Germany, caused by persistent
naval pressure, may at any moment
cause q forced move
In any case. here in London conf
dcnce IN Foch has been greatly en-
ha9ced BY the silent events OF these
weeks, Hindenburg was par to
strike ard the blow has been serious
ly delayed. possibly foIled. Foch has
won an advantage. II not a victory:
and at the present rate of influx of
An.ericaa troops the advantage is very
tpal