Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1918 — A WEEK OF GREAT VICTORIES [ARTICLE]

A WEEK OF GREAT VICTORIES

S H , N, - In. speaking editorially of the advance made by the armies of the allies during the past week the Indianapolis News says that during the last week the allies have won victory after victory on the western front, the result of which has been so to threaten the whole German position as to make a wide withdrawal practically certain. And the withdrawal will have to be carried out under conditions of the most unfavorable ■character. For there are now many salients, similar to those at Ichateau Thierry and St. Mihiel, from which it will be extremely j difficult to retire without heavy losses. The Hindenburg line is a thing of the past. At many points 'the allies are through it, and be-

.hind it. The American advance from the south is a great flanking (movement that may of itself force a general German retirement. The ! merest glance at ■ the map will show how threatening ’ this move-, 'ment is. It is probable that Cambrai will soon be in the hands of the allies, .its fall being expected evgty hour. jThe pressure on and around St. Quentin can not long be withstood. These two towns are of 'the utmost strategic importance i because of their relation to the I whole system of German defense. I This is true also of 'Montfaucon, ' northwest of Verdun, which has .been captured by the Americans. ■As if all this were not bad enough (for the Germans, the Belgians started in Saturday in the north, and at last accounts had captured Dixmude, which is only Itwelve miles from the coast. Five other towns have also fallen into their possession. A break in that region would be a terrible disaster for the Germans sin<Je its effect might -he—to isolate one of their armies and to drive them out of their submarine bases on the coast. Since Friday of last week 52,.006 prisoners have been captured by. the allies, not including those taken by General Mangin. More than 100 guns were captured yesterday. It is announced that since July 18, 230,000 prisoners, 3,000 guns and 20,000 machine guns have been taken. Tlje continued pressure will almost automatically force the evacuation of many square miles of territory. The advance of the Anglo-Belgian force, to take one tase, has brought the allied forces into a straight line with Lille, and with Haig’s armies about Cambrai. As a consequence there are great salients left about Lens and from which the Germans will have to retire or run the risk of capture There can no longer be any doubt that the whole line has

been terribly shaken. And on top of it all comes the disappearance of Bulgaria from the war, and the rumored uprising in Roumania. We do not .see how any neutral can any longer be in doubt as to which side will win the war. If any of them; are waiting to see how things are going, it is about time that they jumped. The band wagon is beginning to move. Now is the time not only to take courage, but to prepare to fight still harder that there may be no letdown and no delusions as to the power of navy and military.