Evening star., 1918-05-31
FRENCH FORCED BACK IN
AILLETTE REGION-STAND
FIRM AT RHEIMS
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withheld until favorable moment
shall arrive for a counter attack.
In accordance with their favorite
maneuver the Germans apparently are
swinging their columns eastward
with the object of getting around
Rheims through Ville-en-Tardenois
and the valley of the Arde. The
bastion constituted by the ruined city
and the high ground known as the
mountain of Rheims is a menace to
the German flank. 1t Is too strong to
be attacked from in front with any
chance of success, so the enemy Is
trying to turn it from the southwest.
While any progress by the Germans
on French soil, with the inevitable
trail of ruins and DISSOLUTION, strikes
French hearts sorely. the answering
confidence with which the general
public views the situation Is most re-
No doubt is felt as to the
outcome. and there Is no weakening
in the resolve to fight on to the end.
Summarizes Situation.
The Havas correspondent at the
front, who Is considered to reflect the
official view, thus summarizes the
situation:
THE rapid advance Of the enemy is
due to temporary numerical inferior
ity of the allies which has completely
changed the aspect of the struggle.
1t is necessary to go back to the be-
ginning of the war for an analogous
situation. This is war of movement
where two armies maneuver under
the open sky.
"Under these conditions the momen-
tary advance Of an army and the cap
ture of town may mean nothing. The
problem Is more vast. For its own
reasons our command did not find 1t
advisable to give battle either on the
Somme or in Flanders after the March
offensive. 1t confined itself to stop
ping the enemy.
Germans Have No Illusions.
shall we accept battle this time as
we formerly accepted 1t on the
Marine? That is the secret of our
lusions as to the value of the success
they have gained. They know we
have several million picked troops
forming it's maneuvering masses
which they will have to encounter
''If the enemy had the choice OF ground
for the offensive we have the much more
important choice Of the field of battle on
which Germany's destinies will be de-
cided.
'It will be seen, therefore. that there
is no ground for alarm. We probably
are witnessing the preliminaries to q
great battle. which both sides wish to be
decisive. Consequently, it Is comprehen-
sible that our commanders do not act
hurriedly. but strictly in accordance with
plans agreed upon"
British Official Report.
LONDON. May 31.-Activity by the
German artillery in the Villers-Breton-
neux sector east Of Arniens and in the
Albert region to the north Is reported to-
day by the war office. There also has
been lively gun fire from the enemy lines
on the Flanders front between Festu-
bert and the Clarence river. The state
ment reads:
IA party of our troops rushed a Ger
man post southeast Of Arras during the
night and captured a few prisoners A
few prisoners and a machine gun were
captured by US also in patrol encounters
northeast of Ypres. The enemy raided
one Of our posts northeast of Robeco.
A few OF our men are missing
The hostile artillery was active in
tors and between Festubert and the
Clarence river"
LONDON. May 30.-The text of the
official statement issued by the war
office today reads:
"a successful local operation was
carried out by French troops east of
Dickebusch lake last night. resulting
in an improvement Of our position in
that sector.
Beyond artillery activity on both
sides there Is nothing to report from
the remainder of the British front"
British Succeed in Raid.
BRITISH ARMY HEADQUARTERS
IN FRANCE. May 80, via Ottawa
The British have carried out a highly
successful raid at Neuville-vitasse
Canadians recently took over. They
penetrated 500 yards into the German
defenses, finding many dead or
wounded from the bombardnlent. Two
hundred more Germans were killed In
the fighting.
Berlin Official Statement.
BERLIN. via London. May 30
Crecy-au-Mont. Juvigny and Cufies
north of that city. have been captured
by the Germans. according to the Of
fcial statement issued by the war Of
flee. which says that the number of
prisoners has been increased to more
than $4,000. The text Of the state
ment roads:
ION the battle front between the
User and the Disc fighting activity
has increased frequently. There were
some local infantry. engagements.
THE armies of the German crown
PRINCE are progressing victoriously.
gained after hard fighting. Crecy au
Mont. Juvigny and Cuffies have been
occupied.
"Soissons has been taken by Bran
denburg troops.
"The number Of prisoners has in
creased to more than $4,000, and the
booty in artillery and war material
Is tremendous
French Thrown Back.
South of the vesle the French
front, which was In course Of forp1a.
ton. broke down under uninterrupted
attacks by cur divisions. We TIN ew
the enemy back after stubborn re-
sistance as far as and across the line
Of villemontoi:e. Fere- ardenois,
CoulonSes, Brouillet and Branscourt,
1.-THE forts on the northwestern front
OF Rheims have fallen. The northern
parts Of La Nouvvillette and Betheny
tion. up 10 railway guns Of the heavi-
est caliber. were taken.
1.-The impetuous advance Of our at
lacking forces prevented the enemy
from carrying back rich war provi-
SONS heaped up in the captured terri
tories: large depots fell into our hands
at Soissons, Braisne and Fismes. Ex-
tensive munition depots. railway trains
and hospital establishments, with q
large quantity Of medical equipment
fell into our possession. An airdrome.
with machines ready to start and air
plane materials. also was captured.
With the army groups Of Gen. Won
ing activity revived temporarily.
"DurfnR the last three davs o,,r