Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-20

Especial Correspondent Of the Erenin0 Ledger IN
France)
(This is the conclusion of Mr. Bazln's story on
Ledger on August 13.)
WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN THE
FIELD, July 25.
INROM the point where I have spent this
L afternoon have had before my eyes the
entire battlefield extending from west of
Cerny to east of Craonne. Through this
vista have been able to grasp exactly the
scope of the formidable Boche attack, as
tersely outlined in the communiques of the
past six days.
1t should be remembered that the battle,
in the broad sense, is taking place upon
the heights of the Aisne. and that their
tops are a series Of irregular plains in
varied conflguration. entitled the plateaus
of California and Classmates, all leading
toward Hubertise, and until the shell dis
ruption Of the past week, that which was
the Napoleonic Chemin-des-Dam
Following their initial attacks of July 10,
the enemy succeeded in taking possession
of our extreme first line between California
and Classmates, at the point where the pla-
teaus recede to the north. This July 25,
seven days afterward. the Boche has been
forced all the way back to his own line ;
that is, the point where he started his Of
fensive. Not foot of ground Is added to
his portion of invaded France after her.
oulean efforts, after leaving thousands and
thousands of dead upon the field.
Thus, in a nutshell, is laid bare and clear
enemy aims and enemy results after seven
days and seven nights of continuous stupen-
dous fighting-a vain endeavor, indeed. in
which the most powerful artillery fire, as
formidable as any upon a given area since
the wars beginning. and the best infantrv
in the Crown Princes army have been an.
gagged.
It's Like Verdun"
The royal barbarian's intent of COURSE
was TO occupy all the plateaus about Cra-
onne, with their points of observation ~,
the southern border of Craonne nIatean
overlooking the valley of the Aisne, An,
parently, nothing In gigantic condensation
OF the favorite Boche weapon, force was
overlooked. Our aviators and other n,aars
OF information have determined that frII,,
ooo Boche batteries of all calibers were IN
aetion' anu we know they rained shells hy
the thousands and thousands of tons me-
the plateau and the valley Every oor,h".
ant on our side who had lived tbrough tho
campaigns Of 1915 tells me the san,a ,h,s.' sne
tells it, be he officer or private "Its s's ,,,,"
Verdun." Ats IKE
The German troops of assault and ..o,.
reserves composed an army of 90 Ooo 49,
that Is, three divisions of Prussians .n ieh
Oh Westphalians, and two of Rayar,a,"
This we know through prisoners a nd athans ta,,s
among these divisions the fifth 20 rs
Prussian Guard. a fighting force 90 .ne
oroer, was thrown into the fight in ali ,.s
energy energy and efficiency; and this "si,taa ,ts
division Will never again in this & en'e
aple TO pass In review In the nrida 80 pe
strength before its Attila-Kaiser. H.. -. ,. ,.s
commander, General Won der Osten vii, s iss
De able TO muster among the dead sacr,es nv.
over 20 per cent Of Queen Elizabeth.s 1,.,ea n.ea
Erenadiers. the Third Regiment % Ia E
ana the Twentieth Brandenburg oot,
regiments composed the very flowsr =, nese Use
command. And but mere handful Is a,,1'a
me enemy's supreme effort was conna' e
uated AZ the point between Craonns ans
west OF Classmates. The French resinos..a a,,u
OF the - army stood like the va,nsn .s
tney are. waiting for the word. saan,I.
AT rest, while the artillery of France ,.sy
Quentitiss indescribabls Of Lad "a SouIeo
nlsnt p ana day for ninsty-six cont,,.s'.l seI
eeus9 upon the Hochel uurin~ sSsa sSs'.noous
a tln& ~ ya>lev ef ~ x;i',<9s ~ Sez!2e rs
|I VI y I.I [' I I'D