Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-08-07
German Plans Upset.

tween RnelmS ana SOlSSOnS, on the
Aisne- Marne front, in which terrific
fighting has been going on for two
weeks, has been virtually cut out by
the allied forces. French cavalry
patrols now are operating along the
railroad running between these two
cities, constituting the two pivotal
points Of the German advance;
American troops hold the outskirts
Of Fismes, the great supply base Of
the German army, which the enemy
strove with utmost strength and de-
termination to hold. Allied advance
guards have reached the southern
bank of the Aisne, and the force of
the combined thrusts Of French,
British and Americans appears great
enough now to drive the Germans
back even beyond the Aisne to the
heights Of the Chemin Des Danes,
where powerful defenses must then
be forced.
Both east and west the allies on
Saturday increased the speed of their
advance, distance Of more than six
miles forward being gained at points.
This line has been so Strengthened as
to escape the danger which previous
ly threatened the southern bend from
Soissons being enfiladed.
Notwithstanding the difficulties
confronting them, the Allies are
bringing up their guns almost as fast
as the Germans are withdrawing
theirs. and all the roads over which
the Germans are retiring are being
subjected to the heaviest lombard
ments.
Coincidentally the British have re-
gained important ground west of the
Ancre river, where the enemy also
Is retreating.
After holding back the allies for
days along the Ourcq, the German
line seemed to collapse and the re-
treat northward became precipitate.
The De ,isive Blow.
The decisive blow Of the battle be-
tween the Marne and the Aisne seems
to have been delivered Thursday
when the allied troops broke the en-
emy lins at Hartennes, northwest Of
Fere-en -Tardenois.
The whole German line had been
pivoting on this point and the allied
success there put the entire Teuton
forces into what seems to have been
| disorder
AS the result of the allies sensa-
| now hold the line OF the Vesle river
from Rheims at least as far as
Braine. Around this town the situa-
ton is somewhat obscure, but it is
known that the allies are on the hills
| overlooking the Vesle valley to the
west and the northwest At Venizel
the allies hold the south bank Of the
Aisne and their lines extend west
ward through Soissons to Pommiers.
In Dangerous Position.
There is no certainty that the Ger
mans will find the Aisne bulwark
and be able to reform their shatter-
ed columns behind It. Advices from
Paris indicate that the German lines
north Of the river are in a dangerous
situation and they may not be able
to hold them. If this is the case, the
retirement will go on until the en-
emy IS back again to the lines north
Of the Chemin Des Danes.
Skilful Retreat.
The retreat Of the Germans has
been carried out with skill, and up
| until Thursday 1t seemed to be Or
derly, If not deliberate. Ever since
that time there have been no reports
Of large captures Of prisoners, and
there has been no mention OF cap
tured cannon. 1t Is probable. there
fore, that the German retreat has
been successful operation, so far as
men and guns may be concerned. The
loss to the Germans, however, in mu-
nitions and materials will be very
heavy. The success of the allies,
moreover, has apparently thrown tho
whole German plan Of campaign out
Of Joint.
First Army Driving at Center.
Washington, Aug. 3.---The first
army corps. commanded by Major
Gen. Hunter Liggett, is still driving
at the center Of the retreating Ger
man lines and has reached Fismes,
the enemy's main base for the Aisne-
Marne battle theater, according to
the French announcement tonight.
There was every indication, officers
here believed, that the enemy could
not halt his retirement short Of the
Aisne line. Within few hours to-
day, unofficial advices showed that
the whole line had surged forward to
the Aisne-Vesle front and thrown
cavalry patrols beyond it.
officials Rejoice.
zen. Marcn, chlef or stan, had Off
ficulty to-day In his conference with
the newspaper men in concealing his
elation over the decisive defeat ad-
ministered to the enemy. He an
nounced that Gen. Pershing now had
more than million men under his
direct command "in his own area"
Presumably he referred to the sec
tion Of the front from north of Ver-
dun TO the Swiss border, where
American, troops have been rapidly
taking over the line from the French.