New-York tribune., 1918-05-31

yesterday, but while. on one hand,
they failed to pierce our lines, on the
other it is comforting to observe that
their march was. slackened considera-
bly, by the arrival of our reserves.
"As these conse into play the bal
ance will gradually be restored, and
soon the German food will be
damned.
The French command retains un-
diminished confidence, based as it is
the incompatible valor Of our SOL
diers"
French Are Confident
In competent circles there is quiet
confidence in the outcome, and signs
are not lacking that the advancing
waves shortly will be stemmed. Unity
OF command puts the Allies in bette r
position than they were in the March
offensive. On that occasion French re-
Inducements came into action on the
third day, and on the eighth the Ger
mans were stopped definitely. Now
things should go more quickly.
The Germans have been obliged to
Of the original line, which can be
crossed only at certain number of
points which are highly vulnerable to
Allied airplane attacks.
The enemy is thus prevented from
reapng the full benefits of his rapid
advance.
Meanwhile. the Allied reserves are
massing at certain points without any
Of the confusion that attended the SIM
liar movement in March. SO we'll per-
fected are the arrangements that an
i, H. 4
truck from the Somme to Rheims in
forty eight hours and arrive without a
button missing.
Strike for Marne Valley
AS the battle proceeds. the enemy's
purpose becomes plain. 1t is twofold
First of all, eighteen miles south Of
the Vesle flows the Marne.y which
forms. with the Disc, one of the great
avenues OF approach to Paris. Along
its course runs the Chalons railroad,
the main eastern artery. To gain a
footing in the Marine valley, or even
to approach within artillery range of
it, would be an appreciable result. Tha.
is sufficient to show why the Germans
continue to push southwark so vigor-
ously. Their advance there yesterday
however, amounted to only three and
half miles on the first day of the at
tack and seven on the second. This
indicates the growing force of the op
position which the enemy is en-
countering.
The second objective, which the Ger
man staff considers even more i'm
portant, judging by the efforts made
at Scissors. is to broaden the salient
to the westward BY enlarging the ac-
tion there the German Crown Prince
intends to approach nearer to Paris on
the direct route The French COM
mand is fully aware of the Importance
Of this movement. Although scissors
was evacuated to prevent needless sac
roads leading out Of the town.
Heavy Fighting Ahead
Heavy fighting still lies ahead for
the Allies, but those most competent
to express an opinion are now satisfied
that the German drive will be stopped
in the near future.
The Havas correspondent at the
French front, under yesterdays date,
states that the position at present, as
compared with March. is more advan-
tageous to the Allies. In March the in
dispcnsability of unity of action had
been realized in the midst of battle
which was the most dangerous menace
yet endured. Roads were blocked, ham
pering arrival of reinforcements. 1t was
only week after the beginning of the
battle that the enemy was definitely
held.
To-day, he points out, the Anglo
French forces, submerged by assail-
ants six, or even eight, times their
have given ground but in nor
feet order and with methodical slow
ness, and without losing contact for a
moment. There were never gaps be-
tween the British and French like those
of March, when the gaps absorbed all
the first reinforcements to arrive. To-
day the masses of mannuvre are ar
irving over open roads and are already
in action.
Perfect Unity Prevails
There is perfect comradeship of
arms between the French and British.
At Fismes British cyclist battalion
spontaneously helped the French de-
Tending the village. At Craonne
British battalion which had already
suffered heavily, carried away by the
gallantry of French colonial division
which was charging the hills in furious
counter attacks against four German
divisions, rushed into the assault
alongside the colonials.
British and French soldiers along
the roads help each other in a spirit Of
comradeship, and the collaboration of
the stats is as close and cordial.