Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-14

AMERICAN VICTORY
IS MASTER STROKE
All France Thrilled; Yankees
Are Being Lionized
in Paris.
PRAISE IS GENEROUS
PRAISE IS GENEROUS


PARIS, September 1.-THE Ameri-
can Army's maiden effort as an in
dependent force in the world war is
regarded by the French press and
public as nothing less than a master
stroke. The further details that have
come through showing the extent Of
the ground gained and the great num-.
ber Of prisoners taken In two days on
a relatively small front, have more
than borne out the early expectations
and caused the operation to be viewed
in this light.
"Victory at High Speed"
'"The American Army has gained q
genuine victory at high speed" says
Col. de Ehomasson, the military critic,
who pays tribute to the American
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 achieve
ment far in excess of what had been
expected is no disparagement of the
American Army but the morale effect
in France seems in consequence of
this to measure well up with the mill
tary results attained.
Americans Lionized.,
The American soldiers now in Paris
are being lionized by the people of
the city, who stop the men on the
streets and grip their hands in con-
graduation over the victory. In gen.
eral the military commentators re-
serve judgment Of the full effects
of the offensive until more ample de-
tails are available and they are able.
to see the trend the operations are
likely to take.
One Of the writer's, Henri Bidou, has
something to say of strategic matters,
however, in discussing the attack. The
St. Mihiel salient, he points out, was
of great Importance as base for an
enemy drive and he thinks it possible
that when the Germans attacked to-
ward Chalons July 15 they contem-
plated also throwing a column from
ST. Mihiel.
If the Germans have decided to
abandon such a position. NJ. Bidou ar
CUES, it is a sign that the general mil
itary situation forced them to take
the step after their withdrawal from
the Somme line and then from that
lof the Lys. This third retreat he
considers g. serious symptom, and he
points out that whether or not the
withdrawal to shorter line was vol
untary the operation cost the Ger
mans dearly.
Generous in Praise.
The editorial writer's are generous
in their. praise Of the Americans.
This operation" says the Echo de
Paris, does honor to the enterprising
spirit of the American leaders and
the Incompatible ardor Of their
troops"
first time the American Army alone
has launched an offensive on a great
scale, but 1t will not be the last.
From the showing it has made the
Germans have been able to see that
they have to reckon with ardent, en-
thusiastic and audacious troops"
All France Thrilled.
PARIS, September 1s.-News of
Americas first independent offensive
on the western front has thrilled all
France. The newspapers print the
battle front dispatches in the largest
tvpe and accompany them with maps
and explanations regarding the ground
FOUGHT over. No one doubts that the
effort was crowned with full success.
Col De Thomasson, one Of the best
at may be said at once that Gen.
Pershing's shock Army has given
fresh proof Of the very high
value Of the American troops. To
have crossed in one bound the (deleted
BY censor) is an exploit the moro
brilliant in that in this Woevre region
there can be no question Of maneuver-
ing. Our allies are penetrating into
very powerful organisations
"During the year 1917 the interior
Of the st. Mihiel pocket was, 50 to
say, honeycombed with fortified
works. While the Wotan, Siegfrie:
and Albersch lines were organized
from Lens to the Chemip des Danes
the Germans had constructed posi-
ttons in an almost straight line from
Be1onvaux (noFthe&st Of verdun and
seven miles west Of Etain) to Noveant-
Continued on Eleventh Page.)