The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1918. WORK FOR THE AMERICAN ARMY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1918. WORK FOR THE AMERICAN ARMY.

'September is the month which has long been regarded as the period in which great issues will be decided. Speaking in June last, Mr. Bonar Law said: ' The Germans have deliberately bent everything on winning a decisive result before the forces of America can be brought into play," adding, "If three months hence none of the strategic objects has been secured by the enemy, 'then his campaign will have failed." Now that the three months have nearly elapsed there is not the slightest doubt as to the complete failure of the enemy's campaign, and the arrival of the crucial month has been signalised by the withdrawal of American troops from the British and French armies in order that those troops may be absorbed into the organisation of the First Army of the United States, a step that is pregnant with mighty results, in view of the important work that may be entrusted to that army. Hitherto the American troops have, by special.desire of Bcesi-

dent Wilson and the American people, been utilised wherever they were needed, and since April last have been completing their training under actual service conditions, side by side with the British and French, and they have worthily typified the resolute determination of the American people, and fully upheld the splendid traditions which inspire their countrymen in carrying the war to a victorious conclusion. Now they are to constitute a definite American self-contained force, acting in concert with Britain and her allies. Although no indication has been given as to the particular work this new army is to undertake, there are not wanting data from which deductions may reasonably be made. It will have been noticed that- the cables have reported that there has been much American activity in the Vosges, where they are constantly improving their positions. Although interesting events might have been expected in the Vosges and Lorraine, it was recognised that the hour had not yet struck—presumably indicating that the American forces were not sufficiently ready to undertake operations on a large scale—so the question naturally arises as to whether the new American First Army, when completely organised and led by experienced officers, will be assigned the place of honor in a turning movement to roll up the German amies. The prospect of an offensive south of Verdun is regarded as a fascinating one, the front extending from the southern extremity of Belgium to Switzerland, and practically coinciding with the original Franco-German frontier. Any big advance would mean an invasion of Germany itself. In the extreme south the French are within fifteen or twen- ' ty miles of the Rhine; in the north, about the same distance from Metz. Undoubtedly an offensive into Rheinland would cause the enemy to make enormous withdrawals from France, and so materially assist the Allies in sweeping the enemy off French soil. In this connection it is advisable ito remember that the Hindenburg line was designed not only for defence, but to prevent the Allies frlm securing the great iron fields of the Briey valley. For Germany to lose her metal and coal supplies is to lose the Avar. The Hindenburg line is regarded as one of the great tide marks in the war, and it is on that line, together with the Lorraine front, that she must fight to a finish. For the Allies to roll up the Hindenburg line this autumn from the south, as well as setting the American army in motion on the Lorraine front, would be a great stride towards final victory. The French and Americans are well across the border into Alsace, and, as already mentioned, are only about fifteen miles from the Rhine. As no heavy fighting has taken place in this'region for a considerable time, the German front may only be thinly held by inferior quality troops, so that by bluffing heavily in the north against the Hindenburg line, while swiftly and secretly concentrating against Alsace, it might be possible to carry the Allied front to, if not across, the Rhine. In the present depleted and partially demoralised state of the* German forces it would practically be impossible for them tp .guard the* mineral region in the Briey valley, as well as the eastern bank of the Rhine, if the , Allies' operations were characterised by "£he same dash and skill as those which are now\ proceeding. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, it would seem that the Americans have a great work awaiting them on the Franco-German border, and it will not be at all surprising to find, when the hour strikes, that they will launch a grand offensive that may—and we hope it willmaterially shorten the duration of the struggle. They may confidently be trusted to carry out successfully operations that would threaten the very heart of Germany. The latest cables are most cheering, as they show that the enemy has been struck one of the most smashing and strategically serious blows received in any one day's fighting. The British have captured Lens and Queant, and have apparently broken right through the Drocourt-Queant switch line, with its fortified system, and are not only working behind the Hindenburg line, but have gained ground commanding a long stretch of the Hue. It v~ quite possible that American action will ] )C speeded up, ana then there should be developments of ccnsidcraW* magnitude.