The sun., 1918-09-06
BY the Associated Press.

by me Associated PreSs.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY ON THE
AIsNE FRONT. Sept. with the excep-
ton Of a few machine detachmente. left
to sacrifice themselves in an effort to
cover the retreat, the Germans were on
the north side of the Aisne tonight.
The American and French troops
who have followed closely on the heels
of the enemy since the evacuation Of
the Vesle Valley began, were still in
contact. harassing the rearguard and
Fastening the movement OF the whole
force.
Long before nightfall the Americans
had worked their way down-into the
iowlands toward the Aisne. of the pla-
teau from which they had been able to
look over the next valley at the cathe-
dral towers In Laon, not fifteen miles
away.
1t is at that point where the heart OF
the present German operations Is lo
Gated. Laon is a great communication
centre and must naturally be defended
with the utmost determination II the
allied forces are to be prevented from
driving the German lines back TO 1t
from west and south.
Headed for Chemin Ges Danes.
The retirement OF the Germans to posi-
tions north Of the Aisne Is regarded as
only preliminary to their reoccupation
of their old lines of defence along the
Chemin des Danes With their recross-
ing OF the Aisne the second phase of the
retreat from the Marne is ended.
In the first they were driven back
mile by mile, and desperate fighting
marked almost every foot Of the territory
yielded 1t was entirely different in this
retreat. 1t was, in fact. a strategic re-
treat and has cost them comparatively
little in men and munitions.
So steady and rapid was the with
drawal of the Germans that French cav
airy was employed to-day 10 maintain
contact at one or two places. the cavalry
also contributing to the location Of ma
chine gun nests.
The Americans were subjected at
times TO rather heavy artillery fire,
especially while going over the plateau.
Fer about two miles II was necessary
for them to advance in the open over
high ground plainly visible to the Ger
man observers. There was little cover,
and both heavy and light artillery swept
the zone, but with slight effect and with
out checking to any degree the forward
movement.
Allied Guns Are Active.
The French and American artillery
meanwhile delivered a punitive fire di-
| rected against the villages and roads be-
tlnA .An
where machine gun nests were located
The clearing out OF these nests was
accomplished in this engagement more
by the artillery than In previous battles
| These machine guns had been left by the
| Germans along a line admirably con-
structed. The usual overwhelming num-
| ber OF automatics were substituted for
men. and so placed that never were they
so far apart that from some angle q
srossfire could not be effectively used.
Some sharp engagements did occur
| These were brief. however. the German.
who We're not killed or seriously wound
ed Withdrawing along little communica
tion trenches into large trenches leading
| to ravines. through which they escaped
| This was not a day for prisoners tn,
whole number taken being less thar
| twenty.
| The movement OF the Americans owe
| the plateau was effected without mate
| rial loss, because. instead of advancinl
! In regular formations. they were filtered
| into and through the zone. never pre-
senting a satisfactory target. The prog
reSs down into the lowlands was simi
latly carried out.
| 1t would be no surprise II the Ger
mans extended their evacuation to tn,
region south of the Aisne. which the!
hold in the direction Of Rheims.
! Weakening Morale Seen.
Every evidence obtainable by tn,
Americans as they press upon the Ger
man armies points to the gradual, con
tinuous and ever more rapid weakening
morale Of the troops and the lowering O
| their effectiveness to a serious point
The American military authorities
draw this conclusion from the action O
the German command In shortening tn,
line b.. voluntary Withdrawals. its en-
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