ALLIED POLICY IN THE WEST

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1918, Page 6

ALLIED POLICY IN THE WEST

About a month, ago American newspapers were giving some attention to a change in the tone of the German press, which had exchanged its earlier exuberance for a marked moderation. About that time the German people were warned by their newspapers that they must not expect too much; "that the Allies have very large reserves, and that their intervention must always be looked for whenever a major attack is brought." This German comment hns been variously interpreted in America. One American critic declares that "the German commanders know that their ' victories' have forced them into formations of the most dangerous kind," and that they could not withstand a first-class offensive by an Allied army of manoeuvre. Other writers hold the view that an Allied army of manoeuvre capable of carrying out a counter-offensive does not yet exist, and that Foch's policy is to hold on. " Foch," (Writes Mr. F. H. Simonds, " seeks to hold on, with no grave disaster, until, the campaign of 1918 is over. For the campaign of 1919 he will have a million Americans. Hindenburg seeks a decisive victory in advance of the American intervention." Concerning.the last sentence there can be no difference of opinion. Concerning the first one, all that need be said is that if Foch successfully carries out the indicated plan, he will have done well enough. If he does better, he will stand out as the greatest leader in the war.