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Show THOSE LOSSES WERE NOT IN VAIN (Deseret Evening News) Of all the casualties sustained by the American armies abroad probably those for which mourning relatives at homo, wlfl grieve the most, and to which they will find more difficulty in being reconciled, recon-ciled, are the losses during the last few hours of tho fighting say tho 72 hours allowed to the German high command in which to accept and return the terms of armistice. The feeling was almost universal that these terms would bo accepted, and that hostilities would thereafter immediately cease. But in tho Interim, the 'American assaults wero pressed with oven greater vigor than before; be-fore; and while there was no reckless neglect of tho usual precautions pre-cautions to minimize fatalities, there was undisguised daring and determination in carrying the American Aug to tho farthest possible pos-sible forward point beforo the moment when tho order should come to cease firing. Tho last spectacular salvo wltli which both Bides signified the arrival of tho fateful hour of 11 o'clock, probably prob-ably caused few fatalities; but prior to UiIb, even while the couriers cour-iers wero carrying Marshal Foch's terms to Spa, there was fighting fight-ing of the most energetic character, -with corresponding casuaV ties. However, it should be a comfort to those who shall prove to have been bereaved during these last hours of the conlllct to realize real-ize that any relaxation of aggressive operation might have been fatal to the peace prospect. Even though remote, tho possibility was BtiH real that instead of accepting the humiliating terms offered, of-fered, the proud war-lords would decide on another though obviously obvi-ously a last desperate effort. Withdrawal of the American pressure pres-sure at tho hing(i or key of the whole German defense at tho vital moment would have encouraged this decision, and would have greatly muHlplIcd the cost to our forces If they found it necessary neces-sary to resume their aggressive. To those who take all tho circumstances cir-cumstances into consideration, therefore. It must be apparent that tho policy of wisdom was to press the attack with as much seriousness seri-ousness up to the last, as If It were the beginning Instead of the end of tho great campaign. Of these heroes who wero tho last to fall, it may ho said as truly as of those who were in tho first, that not one of them died in vain. |
