The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-09-14

the lines to the east ana south"s-Fronh
Forum editorial, August %.
For once. the popular idea Of strategy has beep
acted upon in this war
Ever since the Allies began their offensive on
the Marine the possibilities Of blow on the long
German flank, some place between Rheims and
the Swiss border, have been the subject OF much
comment and speculation and The Forum was
far from being alone in predicting it.
The blow fell this week. and in two days OF
fighting the Americans wiped out the entire St.
Mihtel salient, which has been held by the Ger
mans since the first rush into France in 1914,
captured more than $4,000 prisoners and removed
the possibility of a German attempt to encrce
verdun.
Aside from some "mopping up" enterprises in
aPicardy, and some local attacks by both British
and French to prepare the way for new attempts
to take Douai, Lille, Cambria, ST. Quentin and
Laon, this attack by the Americans has been the
only fighting OF Importance during the week.
1t should Ibegvfewed from two standponts--its
immediate results, and it's probable significance.
Immediate Results.
When the Germans first surged into France in
1914 they almost enveloped verdun. The strong
Notifications here held them back but they swept
far behind it on both sides; being finally stopped
at the Marne When they retreated from the
Marine in 1914, the ST. ,Mihel salient was left, the
u.
viding strong defense and the whole salient
affording protection to the great iron country
around Metz. The fighting around verdun in 1915
did not extend to this salient and it has remained
almost unchanged, and the scene OF but little
fighting, for four years. The salient was sharp
one, being about ID miles across the base, and
some Is miles. from the base line to the apex at
st. Mihel. At ST. Mihiel it cut the railroad run
ming from Verdun to Toul and Nancy, an i'm
portant French supply line, and the salient Of
a German attempt to encircle Verdun or to out
flank all the French lines south to the Swiss
border
Advance Was Rapid.
The Americans struck Thursday morning on both
sides Of the salient. After tremendous barrage,
they advanced rapidly Thursday and Friday and
had been wiped out and $4,000 prisoners cap
tured. The details of the attack were not avail
able at that time, but the immediate results are
of much Importance even aside from the losses
inflicted on the Germans. which must have been
very heavy.
The Americans are now less than 20 miles from
Metz, the center OF the great iron district of Lor
raine from which Germany draws the greater
part OF its iron. The new line is very close to
the German border, and another advance equal
to the made would place the Americans well
across the German line
THE advance also makes the American flank
safe for drive on any part of the line east or
west of St Mihiel :. NJ :. ,.-.-.--~. 3d..
These are the immediate, results
Possible Developments.
Just how big a part the attack will play in the
great game General Foch is playing has not yet
developed. The attack is one of two things. 1t
is a short, swift thrust intended to wipe out the
salient harry the Germans and possibly take
Metz, or It is the beginning Of great offensive
Tense lines in northern France. Perhaps 1t was
begun the former and intended to be developed
into the latter if sufficient progress were made in
proportion to the cost, to justify it.
1t is doubtful if General Foeh would definitely
commit himself to grand offensive at this time.
but he is the kind of general who will take .ad-
vantage of any epeningle left by. the enemy and if
he saw the opportunity to drive in behind all the
German armies to the west, he would not hest
tate to press the attack with all his available
forces for the prize would be complete vctory:}
1t is known that the Germans have at least two
lines OF defense prepared behind the Hindenburg
line. They converge north of .Verdun. For the
Allies to blast their way through the remainder of
the FTndenblrg line and then carry the remain
ing lines by frontal attacks, would be a terribly
costly naneuyer The same results would be at
tanned by pushing forward along the Lorraine
border and into Luxembourg. Such a drive would
place the Americans in the rear of four fifths of
Closing Gap Not Necessary.
tits f25 miles due north from the present line
to AK la Chappelle at the junction of Belgium,
Holland and Germany, but to advance such a dis
tances and close the gap completely, might be
wholly beyond the bounds of possibility. But
such a result is not necessary. Every mile Of
advance would narrow the gap left for the Ger
mans to maneuver in. Every mile, after the next
five, would be through German territory. Every
mile would be striking deeper into the very vitals
of the German defense systems. Priceless lines
of supplies, railroads and concentration camps lie
along the route, ana every Title the americans
advance would add, in increasing ratio, to the
difficulties of the German high command. How
far the Americans would have to advance to
force a general retirement from all of France
and Belgium, is problematical Perhaps rs miles
would do it. Certainly so miles would Fifty
miles would carry the Americans to point about
level with St. Quentin, more than 100 miles to
the west. 1t is inconceivable that the Germans
would not have begun their retreat before such a
point was reached Moving an army Of 100000
men is Herculean task, but when supply lines
are being cut one by one it rapidly approaches
n Var ms uy0i1 mt Hara
risk having any considerable part Of their forces
cut Off
Possibilities Only.
This discussion is intended only to show the
strategical possibilities of the American attack,
always provided it can be pushed home without
too great loss. Whether or not General Foch in
tends to push 1t at this time, break it off when
certain limited detectives have been attained only
the fighting Of the next two or three weeks will
tell.
German reports claim that the enemy withdrew
voluntarily from the salient. The American toll
of prisoners shows what truth there was in this
The line at this point could not have
been held in greater strength than 1000 to 5000
men to the mile. That would mean from 10000
to $4,000 men along the 20-nile front. The
Americans claim to have captured 10 900 prison
ers Prisoners generally are In the ratio OF about
mean a total loss Of $4,000 men by the Germans
Perhaps the rest Of them retired voluntarily"
If that is voluntary retirement" what would a
defeat" have to be in the mind of the German
High Command?
Local Battles in West Improving
Local battles are continuing in the west aimed
at, improving the Allied lines before Lille Douai
Cambria, st. quentin and Laon. These important
centers are ali within reach of Allied artillery but
probab bly, are being SHARED in the hone of captlr-