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OUR SOLDIERS IN FRANCE All reports from the battle front in France are to the effect that the renewed German drive was halted by the Allied troops that the German armies failed in their objectives and that their divisions were thrown back witli such violence as to com ¬ pel a considerable abatement of infantry activity on their part at a moment when their plan called for its intensification and continuance Thus the initial movement was shattered and a readjustment of the enemys forces was rendered necessary which may considerably affect his general plan planIn In producing this effect the American troops to whom General Foch has assigned important sec ¬ tors in the first line made a splendid contribution In their first experience of the concentrated force of a grand attempt to advance they revealed the courage and tenacity which arc their individual qualities and a comprehension of military necessi ¬ ties that is highly gratifying to us and must be to their instructors and their comrades in arms At no time lias there been question of the bravery or devotedness of our men the problem for our military commanders to solve has involved the edu ¬ cation of privates noncommissioned officers and officers in expediting the methods and practices of modern warfare The units on whom the brunt of the fighting fell this week appear to have been principally if not exclusively from the Regular Army and the Marine Corps These include our best trained troops among whom are many men of long experience Yet it must be remembered that they are not different from the men of the National Guard division or the men of the National Army Save for the preparation for war enjoyed by the older regulars and marines all have had the same training indeed all the regular and guard units have received large numbers of selected men into their ranks it being the policy of the War depart ¬ ment to unify the army and not to perpetuate the distinctions that might arise from the various methods of recruiting recruitingUnder Under the conditions imposed on the men drawn recently from civilian to military life rapid pro ¬ gress is made in the technique of the soldier The men have had in their period of preparation tiic best instructors that could be obtained The experi ¬ ences undergone in a few weeks in the trenches transform the rookie into a veteran The sterling qualities of American young manhood include an amazing adaptability a virtue of supreme import ¬ ance in the army armyWe We have never been shaken in our faith in the American men who are upholding American ideals in the stupendous struggle iu Europe Their deeds have made good our highest hopes They have written their power in blood and the message must be read by the Germans who have affected to de ¬ spise them New York Sun
