THE AMERICAN VICTORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16966, 27 September 1918, Page 5

THE AMERICAN VICTORY.

WILL METZ BE ATTACKED.

ENEMY LINES THREATENED.

LONDON, Sept. 17. There is great enthusiasm in Great Britain over the success of the Americana at St. Mihiel. The papers in London show unstinted admiration for the American victory, which is described as one of the greatest allied coups of the war. ' It is pointed out that nothing is mow likely to open the eyes of the German nation to the overwhelming and decisive character of the new factor emerging from the war than the remarkable triumph almost instantly attained by the powerful American army, directed by an American general. In this connection the papers are unanimous in describing von' Payer's peace terms as evidence that Germany has already lost the illusion of decisive victory, and ridiculing the Kaiser's Essen speech. The papers are- confident that'the American victory at St. Mihiel will hasten, the disappearance of the illusion in Germany that they can retain their eastern conquests. The Americans are breaking _ into the web of railways which are most important for Germany for manoeuvring, and by threatening these strategic lines, and the Briey iron-field, they are forcing the enemy to concentrate for the defence of what may prove to be his Achilles' heel. They are also opening the way for further larger American attacks. The Paris correspondent of the Times says that M. Herve, writing in La Victoire, expects a frontal American attack upon Metz. M. Hutin, in the Echo de Paris, points out that an almost impregnable massif now confronts the Americans. Moreover, the Germans are able to use Metz as a secret assembly place for large forces, and the Americans are already coming within range of the fortresses guns. M. Henri Bidou, in the Journal des Debats, voicee a warning against the possible sudden German employment of the "secret mass" manoeuvre on the lines of Hindenburg's battle at Wartha. The Daily Mail states that the fear of a blow in the St.' Mihiel salient haunted Ludendorff for weeks, because it is only 20 miles from the iron ore mines which supply 70 per cent, of Germany's iron and steel and is close to the trunk lines feeding and munitioning the German armies in Flanders.