The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-08-06
- Saturday

Whlch terrlHc nghting has been going
on for two Weeks, has been virtually
cut out by lhe allied forces. French
cavalry patrols now are operating
along the railroad running between
these two cities, constituting the J
two pivotal points Of the previous
German advance. American troops
hold, the outskirts OF Fismes. the
great supply base of the German
3ffny, which the enemy strove with
intmost strength and determination
to hold: allied advance guards have
reached the southern bank Of the
Aisne, and the force of the combin-
ed thrusts of French, British and .
Americans appears great enough now /
to drive the Germans back even be-
yond the Aisne to the heights OF the
Chemin Des Danes, where powerful
defenses must then be faced
Both east and west the allies on
Saturday increased the speed of their
advance, a distance OF more than six
miles forward being gained at GER
tain points. The line now has been
SO Strengthened as to escane the
danger which previously threaten
ed the southern bend from Soissons
of being enfladed
Notwithstanding the difficulties
confronting them, the allies are
bringing up their guns almost as
fast as the Germans are withdraw
ing theirs, and all the roads over
which the Germans are retiring are
pelng subjected to the heaviest
bombardments.
Coincidentally, the British have
regained important ground west of
the Ancre river, where the enemy
also is retreating
German armies which have been
fighting a bitter rear guard battle be-
tween scissors and Rheims for the
last two weeks have retreated across
the Vesie river and are said 70 he
retiring toward the Asne, across
which they stormed on the night of
May 27 in the first rush OF their
plunge toward the Marine
After holding back their allies for
days along the Ourcq. the German
line seemed TO collapse and the re-
treat northward became precipitate
The decisive blow OF the battle be,
tween the Marine and the Aisne
seems to have been delivered Thurs
day when the allied troops broke the
: enemy lines at Hartennes. north
west of Fere-En- -Tardenois. The
whole German line had been pivoting
on this point and the allied success
: there put the entire Teuton force
into what seems to have been dis
order.
de gaps the result of the allies sensa-
$, and. tadvance since Thursday thev
r'now hold the line OF the Vesle river
from Rheims at least as far as
Braine. Beyond this town the sit
uatfon is somewhat obscure but il 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
westward through Soissons to Pom
mieres.
There is no certainty that the Ger
mans will find the Aisne a bulwark
and be able to reform their shatter-
ed columns behind 1t. Advices from
Paris indicate that the Germans
lines north of the river are in dan
gerous situation and they may not
be able to hold them. If this is the
case, the retirement will ge on until
the enemy is back again to the lines
north of the Chemin-Des-Dames
So as the reports from the battle
front show the situation about Sois-
sons 1t is apparent that the Germans
Nare strongly posted on the hills In
fNe' north of the Aisne. There may
hiWeyer, be other elements in the
situation, which, when reported. will
req 4 the true situation and its
mehPce to the enemy.
Ihe retreat aof the Germans has
beeh carried out with skill and, up
until Thursday, II seemed. to be or
der1y. II not deliberate. Ever since
F.