Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-04
THE CAPTURE OF LENS

In the capture of Lens the Allies have gained pos
session of an important city which has been held by the
Germans continuously since the early days of the war,
and to which they have clung with desperate tenacity
through the varying fortunes of successive campaigns.
Several times last year the British attempted to capture
the city by outhan1ing it, and while they were success
full in establishing themselves in positions which they
have since held in the immediate vicinity, Lens Itself
remained in German hands. 1t is apparent that the
Germans would not relinquish a position in the defense
of which they had lost SO many thousands Of men unless
compelled by dire necessity.
The district of which Lens is the center is the great
coal mining section Of France. and because of the prox-
unity of the coal mines the city has been a great iron
and steel manufacturing center. The coal mines in the
neighborhood have been worked continuously by the
Germans. and until the british came so close as to make
the operation Of the manufacturing plants impractf-
cable, those plants were also used in the production of
German war material.
= In the former attacks, such as that at vimy ridge,
the British compelled the retirement of the Germans
from certain Of the coal mines, and these, Of course.
were destroyed, so far as destruction was possible. be-
fore the Germans abandoned, them. Presumably other
mines to the east of the Allied line, have been kept in
operation. The loss Of Lens itself will almost certainly
lead to the immediate abandonment of the surrounding
territory and possession Of her great coal fields will be
restored to France.
It will doubtless be some time before the coal in
that district again becomes available for the use of the
Allies. for the Germans will certainly not leave the
mines in working order. Aside from its immediate mill
tary value. the change of possession of this territory Is
important, first because it will deprive the Germans of
a valuable source Of supply Of materials which are i'm
peratively needed by them. and second, because. as soon
as the damaged mines can be restored to working con-
dition, the French will again be able to mine their own
coal instead of importing it from England. The trans
portation problem Of the Allies will be greatly simpli.
fed, and manufacture will be greatly facilitated.
Added to this is the moral effect Of the forced re-
Itirement Of the Germans from a position, which they
valued highly. and which they held as long as they
could.
Editors Note:-The above article on the taking OF
Lens was written on receipt Of the dispatch on Monday
afternoon saying that Lens had been taken by the Brit
Dish. A later dispatch says that this report was unofi.
cial and is believed to have been premature. as the Off.
Icial communication mentions. not the. capture of the
city, but tho entrance OF the western suburbs by the
British troops. 1t. is not improbable that BY the time
these lines reach the reader; the complete sccubation Of
The German Retreat Specialist II now melting III
the statues Of prominent rrusaians Of the past and COP
Ipsr bottcnning the trousers OF the rear guardA
ID 1870 AGEE- 49, aH%S