New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-18
Hurl Back 6 Attacks,
Drive Nearer Second
DefenceS.
FRENCH CLOSE
IN ON COMPLIES
Massing of the German
Troops Presages New
Thrust.
rRr C.hle 70 T1hs 1fieunel

,.uck a heavy counter blow at the
British line to-day, but it was beaten
haek with severe losses. Haig's
.roops stood their ground despite six
rushes in a storm of shell fire, and
.urned the assault so thoroughly
tbst they were able to advance their
line on a narrow front.
Pozieres and the ground to the
mrth we're chosen again for the Teu-
nm counter attack. The British ad-
vance here has driven a wedge be-
tween Thiepval and Martinpuich,
threatening to pocket both villages,
which are bulwarks of the second
line.
In an effort to dislodge this wedge,
the Kaiser's troops attacked on a
broad front and with strong forces
last night and this morning. Haig's
guns set up six successive curtains
Of fire, through which the enemy
could not penetrate.
British Win Trenches.
Then the British assailed the Ger
man line northwest of Bazentin, lying
east Of Pozieres, and succeeded in
capturing a hundred yards Of
trenches. The Teutons Immediately
counter attacked, but were repulsed
again.
The Allied forces have now driven
their wedge eastward far enough to
menace seriously the German second
system. Guillemont, Maurepas and
Clery will fall with the next thrust.
The British, while the French were
pushing closer to Combles last night,
pushed on west of Guillemont along a
SOO-yard line.
Along the front north and south OF
Nsurepas and south of the Somme,
where the Allied forces advanced on a
ihree-mile front yesterday, the Kaiser's
forces made no attempt to counter-at-
tack to-day. They elected to assail the
British line along the northern edge
Of the wedge, on the theory that if 1t
were blunted there a push eastward
v-nv11 l.. ~ Ior1A
Offensive Still with Allies.
London sees extremely hopeful signs
in the Allied victory yesterday. That
advance proved that offensive ability
still rests in large degree with the AL
lied forces in Picardy, and that while
the advance may move slowly, never
theless a thrust always pushes back
the German lines.
The British and the French continue
the steady pressure on the Teuton line,
always returning TO the attack with in
creased power after they have been
stopped momentarily. 1t is a good cri-
terion Of their resources ia men and
munitions that after seven weeks OF
almost incessant battle they were able
10 execute the brilliant dash which
helped TO straighten their line in the
Combles-Peronne sector.
This advance is measured only In
4 yards, and it is only a minor incident
IN wide movement, but it was costly
70 the Germans, who defended their
positions stubbornly.
Germany Has Plenty of Troops.
Some observers here believe that il
he estimates Of German numbers IN
me West are correct, the Kaiser's
troops Will not rest content with de-
,ehoing the Somme sector, but will
~eneh a heavy counter-attaek at an
0.her point on the line in the West.
o"e OF these critics say that Germany
sun well supplied with troops, and
.as' the 1917 class is far from being
Exhausted.
wSo Tar the greatest value of the
css'ern offensive has been TO compel
,1bsrmsny to concentrate large forces
mere, enabling the Allies TO strike sue
s.ssssslui blows at other points. How ef-
.euyely this scheme has worked out
hown clearly in the results In
vssthern Russia, on the Carso and az
Teutons Kept Busy.
Long ago the British military leaders
,Ypreeiated fully the difficulties which
-, De overcome before either side
Td advance on this trench -webbed
,ern front. They laid their plans
ssscordingly. The ceaseless battering
:, me German lines in Picardy aims
muen to keep the Teutons engaged
.ns .ne west as to break through the
"a he whole British people, these
,eers are most satisfied with the re-
be- IN Pieardy, because they realize
liz me strength Of their opponents.
aRga Ieorge's statement to-day that
s,'aihs honor is not dead, her might
"O' broken, and her destiny still un-