The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-29
NOWBELIEVED that GERMANS Will.
MAKE STAND ON BANKS OF VESLE.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF THE War
lRv Associated Press J

North of the Marne the tide of
German invasion is fast ebbing. The
fact that a general retreat in this re-
gion is going on is not questioned,
and the only question of moment to
be cleared up is the location of the
poeiSion at which the enemy will turn
at bay.
+ Since Saturday morning there
have been important changes in the
battIe-line between Soieaons and
Rheims. Todayfit runs almost di"
to Fere- en- -Tardenois, then crosses
the Ouroq and continues eastward
until Il reaches the Dormans-RFeins
road northwest of Rheims mountain.
1t has been contended by military
experts that the Germans might
elect to stand on the line of the
Ourcq river, from which their heavy
cannon might dominate the Paris
Chalons railroad along the Marine.
This idea Is now proved erroneous
It appears that there 10 no defensive
position south of the vesle river, to
which the Germans can retire and ore
aanize- their resistance TO Allied
pressure. The only other defensive
position seemingly possible is the one
that follows the Asne and Vesle
from scissors to Fismes and from
that point follows the course of the
Ardre river toward Rheims. Burning
villages along the Aisne and Vesle
from Scissors to Bazoehes are re-
ported and tend to confirm the i'm
contemplate organized resistance
south Of that line.
HAVE ExTRIcATED ARMY.
There is every indication that the
German high command has succeeded
in extricating it's forces from the trap
sprung by General Foch. The resist.
ance Of the Germans for week after
the beginning Of the Allied counter
offensive probably gave them time to
withdraw their heavier guns and a
from the salient. This resistance was
strong along the line south of Sois-
sons as far as OuIchy-le-V Vile and
west and southwest of Rheims, which
were the vital sectors Of the battle
Iines
The advance Of the Allies east of
Ou!ehy-le-ChateaU must soon COM
pei the enemy TO eVaeuate the line
from the Ourcq river toward Sois-
sons for a considerable distance.
Nearer Rheims, however, the Ger
mans seem to hold positions that will
provide a pivot for their retreat to-
ward the VesIe river.
In this region the Allies this morn.
ing were getting closer 20 the Ardre
river, which fornls a protection to
the right flank of the enemy posi-
tions near Rheims.
As the situation now stands the
Germans must be considered to have
suffered a severe defeat north of the
Marine, but it is not a Sedan.
HALF POCKET CLEARED.
More than haff Of the pocket be-
tween the Marne and VesIe rivers
ha6 been cleared Of Germans and the
allies are driving the enemy still
farther north.
Important gains are being made
made by the French and Americans
on the oouth and the French and
British on the east. The German
retirement which is covered byl
heavy rear guard actions, has been
we'll conducted. Pressure on the
western and the eastern sides south |
Of Scissors and southwest of Rheims
has been withstood |
and the mouth of the pocket Is still
large enough TO enPbIe the greater
part of the enemy force to reach |
The vesIe.
Fere-en- Tardenoia, tho great |
German base northeast OF Chateau
Thierry has fallen and VfIle-en-
Tardenois, east of Ferey is within |
the grasp Of the advancing allies. AL |
most ali of the Dormans- Rheims
road again is in allied hands and |
the Germans apparently are prapar.
ing TO fall back to the Nesle, If not !
to the Aisne.
No great captures Of prisoners
have been reported The Germans
are using artillery and machine guns
Continued on page 81