The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1918-07-17
Just Beginning To Fight.


Evidently political reasons have dictated the route Of
the German offensive that began yesterday The rapid
" growing American army has required the German gen
ea sa to take some action which might be used to re-
assure the German army and people. Every American
army officer has recognized the fact that while the army
getting into its stride it would be subject to an at
tack BY overwhelming force for the sake Of civic and
military morale throughout pan-Gemany Thorough
drubbing Of the Americans in German reasoning would
dishearten them while eectrifyng Germany and giving
absolute proof that Germany is about to dominate the
world.
The line along the Marine is not heavily defended The
British masses are in flanders where they belong and the
bulk Of the french armies is protecting Amiens and Com
piegne Gen. Foch has well disposed of his forces He
has strong which can be thrown in when need
ed The place selected by the Germans gives them an OPP
portunty to work toward Paris to attack the main line
railroad running via Chaons and to Outnumber the
leans and perhaps give them beating Whether these
objects will be accomplished remains to be SEEN The
first days onslaught neted the Germans some gains as
must be expected when locally superior forces make
Iunge forward with little or no regard for the cost
Let presume that the Germans gain their objects
that they draw nearer Paris cut the Chalon ne and de-
feat the Americans. What then? Are they nearer vic
tory, do their efforts nothing than spouts
Of blood flying from dying exertions?
The settled confidence of France England, Italy and
the United States is something more than ignorant opt
msm. 1t is the deadly calm Of nations which have de-
terned their Of action and have saked their
istence ntheir decision Nothing is to the
duty of executing this decision. No expense, effort
expenditure of fe no extension Of time or toll is
counted against the supreme task of Staying the military
monster that threatens them. There can be victory
for the Germans while France England Italy and the
United States stand erect and armed Every foot of adj
by German forces must be retracted by the rem
ant Of those forces in blood and agony and death That
Is the decision.
Can the free nations enforce their viii? They are in
of doing The faint-hearted and the short
sighted may hear nothing but German guns and moth
ng but German gains the western front The stout
hearted and longsghted hear and see more Of the truth
The war is not solely the western front 1t does not
hinge upon battle even upon Paris Thousands of
factors affect the war; and complicated and SO
tain these factors that human brain can assemble
and weigh them in single survey Discussion Of them
must be confined to generalities 1t must suffice to sug
yest that the struggle should be considered as whole
not by sections If the Americans should rush into Ger
many and take city there would be rejoicing but no one
this country would be foolish as to look for the
downfall Of the German empire as consequence of that
brilliant stroke So the German advance determines lit
lie nothing and certainly not the outcome Of the war
If It should develop that the Germans have overwhem-
ID the Americans in the Chateau Thierry region and kill
ID large numbers Of men, the war will have begun
anew instead of having moved toward victory for the en-
smy. America has just begun to fight. The nation will
norun the death Of every lad who falls in this struggle
but the mourning will be for heroes who have fallen on
he shining path Of victory The flag of victory will re-
main ooft and the forces of Liberty will glare with
iercer fires. The great allies stand as guardians of hu
nanity They consider the end They know they hole
he sword Of Washington Post.