Evening star., 1918-07-16
HAL TING Of HUNS
REJO|cES CAPITAL
Officials Wonder if. Luden-
dorff's Great Drive Already.
Has Proved Fiasco..
NOW AWAIT NEXT MOVE

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Is the fifth German offensive to be
fiasco like the recent Austrian drive
that broke down against Italy's spien.
did resistancef a. -.
This question was asked seriously in
Washington this morning upon dis
semination Of the news Of the virtu-
ally complete repulse Of the German
effort yesterday, in which the Ameri-
can troops performed SO brilliantly.
2 Has Ludendors been stopped in a
manner similar to the way IN which
Borevic was halted, q failure on the
part of the latter which led Luden-
dorff to demand that he be removed?
For the first time this summer has
q counter attack been even attempted
on the first day Of a great operation
such as the Germans attempted yes
terday. And this counter attack was
brilliantly and successfully executed.
Gave Germans a Surprise.
Reports have been received here that
the German troops morale was at low
ebb. Little credence was placed in
these reports. They were viewed with
aganda. Anyway 1t is clear. even
from the meager reports. that the
French were prepared for defense as
thoroughly as the Germans were for
the attack. and that the Americans
rs well as the moro seasoned troops
behaved with a coolness and courage
that gave the enemy distinct sur
prise and shock.
The defenders Of the allied lines In
France fell SO readily into the exc
cution OF orders and such excellent
organization was shown that it is
only as a tribute iiRbeo 70 f the heroism Aot Of
the American soldier. but as an indi-
cation Of the efficiency of the Ameri.
can officer, Recently the Germans
have been devoting much propaganda
perience and Ill training of American
oficers. The American Officers are
considered here to have given their
answer yesterday.
Many ofisers stiil believe that
operation 1t may have been prelimi-
nary to an attack in Flanders. Warn
ing also Is sounded that In view Of the
vigorous fighting resumed today II is
evident that the Germans have no in
tention Of suspending their drive be-
Yesterdays course of the allied
forces indicates to observers here
that the man power situation in
France 10 highly improved over that
OF March n, or during subsequent
drives. -
Instead of making a certain amount
of resistance and Withdrawing. as was
done on some previous occasions, the
Americans. FFenchmen and Italians
seem to have put forth every energy
utmost effort in withstanding the on
siaught OF the new drive. In view Of
previous accomplishments in the flrst
impact OF the German military ma
chine the quick. sharp stop effected
surprising. =.
THE general situation this morning
is regarded as satisfactory" q War
Deuartment statement says. The state
Gen Psr.s,ns as Ssssa saa ea aisRs.shss 1rom
ing press accounts Of the fighting yes
tea day.
War Department Statement.
The statement follows:
Dispatches received from General
Pershing and General Bliss confirm the
press accounts Of yesterdays fighting.
nAaChiCdA lIUOp6 WcSI Oh SuImeIS COun-
ter-attacked. captured prisoners, estab-
lished and are holding their advanced
positions. Germany's barra4e was met
by, counter barrage. which in many
places prevented the advance Of their
infantry.
Full reports, covering the entire
front are. Of course, not yet avail
able. The general situation this
morning Is regarded as satisfactory.
The first day in such battle is.
Of course, merely general advance
guard action. The great pressure of
still to be looked for"
At the War Department today the
tension was relaxed, as compared with
yesterday, though offlcials followed
with much eagerness the bulletins.
President Wilson abandoned his
mained at the White House, hearing
reports from the front as they came
In. He was UP late last night fol-
lowing both ofncial and unofficiai ad-
vices closely.
Last night there was an air Of ella
ton about the War DEPARTMENT. The
prompt and hard.driven counter at
tacks OF American troops at two points
thrilled veterans in Washington.
After reading last nights reports
Secretary Baker made the following
statement to the Associated Press:
evidently the result OF careful prep
arations. It covers wide front and
is made in force. We are at the end
of the first day Of q great battle. The
reports SO far are encouraging, and
seem to indicate both heavy fighting
and effective resistance along the en-
tire 'front.'.
President Wilson spent nearly an
hour with Secretary Baker late yes
terday and It is probable that the
military situation was discussed.
Those who believe the present
German effort is intended only as q
forerunner to later assault to the
north point out that II 1t proves sue
cessful in dislodging the Franco
Italian defenders OF Rheims the
Franco-British reserves back Of
Amiens might be drawn to the de-
tense Of Paris. weakening the line
in the Albert region, which IL re-
garded a. the certain prime objective
Of the German plan Of campaign.
German Forces in Peril.
Two Of the towns from which the
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