The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-07-16
Rheims Is the Center of New Drive and
Germans Are Trying to Crush lt---All
Enemy Forces On the South Bank Of
the Marine Are In Danger of Being
Captured
London, July 15.-Capture by the Americans
on the Marine of l 900 German prisoners was an
nounced in the house of commons tonight.

Paris July 15-Disaster dealt by Americans, overlook
the Germans Marine toward the end of the first dAyN
their sixty five mile drive, launched at dawn between
Chateau Thierry and Masslges.
"A the German forces the south bank of the MaEps
are danger of being captured telegraphs corespou
dent with the Americans the Marne late tonight.
Fifteen hundred prisoners in American hands The
American artillery has shot the pontoon to pieces which
the Germans had crossed the river and many thousands
the kaiser's picked troops seem trapped. 8AS
South of the Marne says tonights French Official COM
munque which the enemy had crossed at several points
between Fossoy Dormans Ia front Of about ten mes)
fierce American attack drove dack to the north bank
enemy which had reached the south bank west n
Fossoy.' sF
Previous to the great American come back which Ii
ceverness Of strategy Of execution rivals the most
brilliant military feas Of this war the Germans had pens
tated nearly four miles south Of the Marine It was case
of out Hindenburging Hndenburg
Along of the flung line of attack the Germans
Jared little better They made on both SIDE: &c, g
obectves of the dvebut nowhere more than four posi-
bly, five miles and everywhere the French and Americans
brgaded with the pous tonight violently and success
fully counter attacking Along vast stretches Of the attack
ing front especially of Rheims the offensive pinned
down from the start
From Berlin comes late tonight ominousy BRIEF
almost pitiful resume Of the day:
Southwest and of Rheims we penetrated parts ce
the French positions Not word Of breaking through
of victorious advance of big battles, and not
syllable Of the crossingand enforced recrossingof h
Yet that the most ambitious and niialy MOST
successful part of the whole titanic drive
terrific allngh battle RACES along the whole 'front.' and
this is time for idle boast optimistic prophecy but 81
the face of the CHEEKY from the American 'front.' -
pahecally small progress made by the foe thoroughly
prepared smash with at least sixty dvsonsnot less than
100000 men-certainly Justify the question:
WILL THE MARINE PROVE TO THE GERMAN6
WHAT THE PAVE WAS TO THE AUSTRIANS?'' 5a.S
The parallel is striking; only the disastrous German
the very first day. not after three days q
progress.
In addition the Americans who brilliantly stood IN
acid test of twenty century battle allies lighting 0oe
by side with French between Dormans and Rheims
The great offensive Ludendor last bid for decistoa
this year-was launched in huge semcircle from shA
Nor riyrtG hnfao YHiarTv IN
where the Champagne and Argonne lines join.
Rheims is the center but it not sheed attacco
The Germans tried and trying to crush it with tdo
favorte pncer tactics The larger strategic detectives
the offensive are Asss
l. Three important rail centers and bases Chalon1
Marne Epernay and Bar Due .ssa
g. The main arteries serving the life blood OF ~ ~
allied forces alone the southern half Of the western Q
Paris Meaux Chateau Thiery Epernay Chalons ConlnG
rail ---.saaa&4
The greater part of these lines in German
would the virtual isolation from big communi
rails of all French and American forces from Sois6o1
Switzerland leaving them only arduous and round4
lines of support and opening the way for grand new
at Verdun sHSsA
AS the battle stands tonight the enemy had lost 01
losing all the fruits Of his drive across and south
Marine Rheims seemed in precarious position. but S0I
the Franco American rally both Sides and 14K
out word the situation "satsfactory. SxsaaH
East Of the cathedral city the foo had rsachsd r. A
Prunay- Frosnes- souain. but according y o. 1j1
z5aSs