The Washington herald., 1918-08-10
ALLIED UNITY
OF COMMAND
SEEN IN DRIVE
London Rejoices at Lack Of
Jealousy Among the
Front Armies.
SURPRISE IS A FACTOR
Hun Opponents Take and
Hold Offensive, Say War
Correspondents.

London, Aug. e.-The new blow
delivered at the Germans yesterday
is discussed in the British papers
with keen appreciation. War cor
respondents and military critics
unite in pointing out the value of
the factor of surprise. The plans
of the allies had been splendidly
concealed from the enemy. and even
his recent capture of prisoners in
the region of the attack had not
given him any information of value.
War correspondents in their ac-
counts OF the battle insist on the
suspense which was felt during the
night as the allied troops waited
for the hour. But the time passed
and there was no sign from the hos
tile trenches, till at last the tre-
mendous bombardment broke out.
1t is pointed out that the day of
long preliminary bombardment has
passed altogether and everything in
the most modern form OF attack
Is sacrificed and rightly sacrificed.
to the factor of surprise.
Remarkable vIetory.
In this case the surprise was so
great as to enable the allies to obtain
a success which even the most eau
tious critics describe as q remarkable
victory. Nowhere has the enemy
fought harder than he did IN. the
spring for possession of the ground
on which he was attacked yesterday.
II was OF the highest Importance 70
him for the achievement of his double
aiUa-the conquest Of Paris and Of
the Channel ports.
There is the fact that the presence
OF the enemy so close to Amiens in
terferred seriously with the freedom
of maneuvers of the allied forces,
and for every reason II might have
been considered that he would make
the most considerable efforts to re-
tain the positions he had won. But
the allied blow was so surprising and
so powerful that 1t has sent his forces
back over a wide area
The attack has done more than
demonstrate the ability of the allies
to take the offensive. 1t has made
plain once more the supreme, value
of the unity of command. There Is
confidence now that each operation
Is a part Of the whole vast plan OF
campaign and not, as one critic puts
it. IAN effervescence on the general
scheme"
Particularly welcome to the British
is the fact that after the fighting of
British troops under French command,
French forces should now be under
Sir Douglas Haig in the present
operations. This fact is taken as
further testimony to the reality of tho
unity of command, and some writers
look for the time when both French
I'D DrfffcI oil La Aoh
under American generals.
The allied forces are one today,
without any question of precedence or
any touch of jealously to disturb the
complete harmony of their labors.
There is no disposition In the BRITISH
comment on the victory to anticipate
events or to claim greater successes
than those which are contained in the
cautious official announcement.
Hun Lost Initiative.
1t is pointed out that there is no
question of attempting to break
through the German lines. The point
which is insisted upon is that by his
failure on the Marne. Ludendorf has
lost the initiative. which has now
passed into the hands Of the allies.
They have the chance now to
IOrCe the enemy TO CONFORM 10 InelI
movements, and 1t is not doubted
that they will retain this advantage.
The present operation is regarded
as evidence OF the determination to
retain 1t. and the success Is valued
for the proof 1t gives Of German
inability to compel the allies to
await hostile attacks.
The absence of strategical free
dom has been the chief trouble OF
the allies since the spring and the
rejoicing over the present turn OF
events Is founded on the fact that
they have now recovered that free
dom.
The news OF the attack surprised
the people of England as thorough
iy as II appears to have surprised
the Germans. But now that atten-
tion has been directed to this part
Of the line. II is realized that the po-
sition of the Germans in the bulge
toward Montdidier is likely to be-
come very uncomfortable before
long.