Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-10-26

Germany, armies are battling des-
pcrtcly. for pcacc-or rather for posi-
tiops which will enable their govern
ment to avoid compete shredder
They have taken a stand ON the line
OF tho Schclds river and canal. not in
the hope OF holding that position per-
manently until winter intervencs. but
to delay the allied advance to the Ger
listers parley with the allied chiefs.
Tho Germans admittedly have made a
good retreat TO the present line, AMI
for the first time since they were
forced to begin their retirement pre-
sent continuous and unbroken front
from the Dptch border to the Meuse
river north Of verdun.
The Scheldt limo Is not regarded as
n serious obstacle to the plans OF Mar
shall FoCil and is open to turning
movement either in the north or In the
center south OF Valenciennes. Just now
the British arc enGeavoring, with the
prospect of success, to turn the south
ern end and at-the same time force the
evacuation of Valcnciennes. This city,
IN stragetic point, now Is beins out
ianked on both sides in the drive o.
tho British eastward, while the ad-
vance Of the a lies in Dnis.uL', to the
north, has hcei. slowed down Mt the
doors OF Chent. This slowing down
process Is to save man power, as
break thru at valenciennes will bring
a. f,trfh
ment of Germans In Belgium. While
the British are encompsssing Valon-
ciennes the French are driving for the
same detectives and pushing toward
Maubeuge. the last important french
city in that sector now held by Won
Hindenburg.
While the first stage of the great re-
treat has been completed and the Ger
man line has been swung back from
Valcnciennes to the Holland border. 1t
Ia not believed the enemy expects 10
tarry long on the Scheldt, and that MS
retirement will continue to the Meuse
if his peace plans go awry and after
his armies have secured much
needed breathing spell There is little
doubt that his ultimate line is the
Meuse. Before that favorable defen-
sive position is reached several halts
may be expected, in order to permit OF
the building of new lines of communi-
cation and readjustmen. OF supply
lines. These temporary stops are
made possible because the allied forces
must take time. after each material
gain. to bring up munitions, supplies
and the heavier guns. The line upon
which Won Hindenburg now stands Is
much weaker than the positions from
which he has been ousted. extending
as they did from Lille. France. to the
Belgian coast at Ostend and zee
brugge.
The line of the Scheldt already IS
cracking and the enemy may be COM
PEELED to continue his retreat to the
Meuse before the time he had planned
The water desenses Of the Scheidt
were expected to aid materially IN
checking the allied forward movement.
The Germans hoped to flood the coun-
try. make the dreaded tanks Ineffective
and otherwise hamper Foch's armies.
Yet the British already are envelopins
Valenciennes, Journal and Audenarde,
while the French, moving from the
south, are in striking distance Of Maui
beuge and the aBelgians are ready to
take Client whenever Foch gives the
command. The Germans best hope,
therefore is Il line extending from
Antwerp to the Meuse at Liege. thence