Nation: Hard Months on the Ground

President Johnson's de-escalatory approach comes at a troublous time for allied ground forces in South Viet Nam. Two months after the Tet attacks, they are still largely on the defensive, and in many places in a virtual state of siege. In all probability—regardless of Ho Chi Minh's response, or nonresponse, to Johnson's new terms—U.S. forces in coming months will have to continue their effort to regain the initiative on the ground. South Viet Nam's major population centers are still gravely menaced.

In attempting to go back on the offensive, the allies have found that...