Evening star., 1918-07-24

uuOUlCIdI SOuASSo- ~ - ~~F
ed that the rainy weather OF the last
few days had slowed up the fighting
between Sofssons and Rheims ana
probably also has retarded the Ger
man retirement from the bag in which
the crown princes forces were caught
by Gen. Mangin's thrust against the
western side Of the salient Ahieo
airmen report conditions back OF the
German lines as indicative Of q Ger
man retreat as Tar north as the Vesle
river. The line Of the ouroq has been
virtually rendered untenable BY the
allies advance to the neishberhood OF
and oulcny-te-
vile, north Of the stream.
Thrsatsnine Soiuons.
Just south OF soassons. the French
and Americans are known to have
reached the western bank Of the crise
river. but there have been no reports
Of a further advance in this vital re-
eion. Should the allies succeed In
crossing the Crise in force and In
gaining the plateau to the eastward
OF that stream. German occupauon 9.
Soissons would probably be snort
lived.
such an advance also would make
the line Of the vesle of slight advan-
tage to the Germans. and would PROB
ably compel their eventual retiremene
to the Aisne river. For this reason tns ne
Buzancy may be expected to pc re-
doubied. and the German resistance
at this point probably Will be OF the
sternest character. vasr
Germans Are Repnlsed.
PARIS, July 24.-The Germans last
night delivered a counter attack upon
the allied lines in the vicinity OF
yrirny. five miles southwest OF
Rheims. The war office announced to-
day that the attack had been re-
pulsed. There was great acsiviey oy
the artillery during the night along
the front between the Aisne 4no sne
Important Gains Realized.
Important gains were realised Tues
French troops that are bearing 10 per
cent Of the effort, in which they vie
in bravery with the Americans. Brit
ish and Italians.
The Havas correspondent at the
front says the French are steadily
North Of the Marne. In an advance Of
two kilometers (about one and one
ouarter miles), the allies took forti-
fied farms and Barbillon wood
The fighting. he adds, surpasses in
violence that of the March and May
offensives, and the Germans rapidly
are being worn out. The wild talk
Of the German official statements, he
saws. proves more than anything else
the confusion in Germany resulting
from the allied blow. The Germans
may delay their retreat by paying
costly price but & the necessity .osre. os re.
will soon ob1ige them to straighten
their front between scissors and
Rheims.
Foch's Genius shown.
Each days operations bring further
proof Of the completeness with which
fhe genius of Gen. Foch has turned
the tables on the Germans. Instead
of slowing down to condition of
what has been called stabilization.
expected, the allies continue to push
forward in the face Of determined
and skillful resistance by the Ger
mans. who had had time to recover
from the first shock OF surprise.
Tha enemy, according to reports.
now has thirty-five divisions in the
hattie zone, 400, 900 men Of which are
in the region north OF the Marine. In
tha oplhion of military observers the
violent German Resistance Is due more
to political considerations.
Capture 1900 Near Montdidier.
nv the Associated Press.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE, Tuesday, July 23.-Tuesday
waas another successful day for the
allies along the entire active battle
front. The bag Of prisoners captured
Nv tha. French northwest Of Mont
Sidier numbered more than 1,500. The
victory was gained with very slight
Tarther southward on the northern
.,6e az the Marne American and
Trenoh troops met several strong
GertIiani attacks, to. which they re-
Sponded with vigorous counter at.
facks. Is . result of which the allied
isne again was advanced. Tho Amer
scanr made their gains IN heavy dght-
inr in the vicinity OF the Barbilion
W1uu s5n the eastern side Of ths salient
the French and British advanced an
svsrare 81 one kilometer. The Brit
ish Increased the number OF pris-
oners taken In three days to 1.100 by
Anproximsfsly 10000 dead. wound
ed and prisunefB have been lost by
the Germans sinoe July 10. The an
eImy continues to burn stores and
MI hin thu na94oHts GH36nnf.