South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-31
BELIEVE 4 NEW
BATTLE CRISIS
IS APPROACHING
Opinion of Washington Off,
Gals is That Increased Fury
of Fighting Indicates
Early Decision.

SeCOno DdIlle OF the Marine mas Ell
tered new phase Both French
and German official statements to-
night reflected the increased fury OF
the fighting for several days past.
indicating TO officials here that a new
crisis is approaching. The decision
cannot be long delayed, although
relatively small changes in the bat
tie line were noted tonight
II was not clear whether the enc
my had reached a line on which he
proposed TO halt his Withdrawal
The general trend Of his present
front along the irregular line that
now forms the bottom OF the Aisne
Marine salient was regarded by most
observers, however. as moi repre-
senting positions OF such nature as
would lend themselves 10 a deter
mined effort TO bring the Anglo
French American forces TO a halt.
Allied Thrust MenaCing.
The intensity of the struggle and
the vigor with which picked Ger
man troops have been hurled for
ward - local counter attacks
showed conclusiVely the importance
the German high command attaches
70 holding fast for the present at
least The reaction appeared to
center on the American spear
head, striking at the very center Of
the enemy position. 1t was quite
evident that the Germans regarded
this thrust as menacing.
Ohicial dispatches did little 10
] 81 G1frI1fTnY1 flf1lrpFg
based their views on press reports
coming from London, Paris or the.
lighting fronts. These told Of re-
peated attacks and counter alta cls
but a summary OF all reports seemed
to show that the Germans had
failed TO relieve their situation, al
though the rapidly OF the advance
was reduced The last availa ble
accounts indicated that the Amer
lean positions southeast OF Fere-en-
Tardenois had been retained. The
fercest lighting Of the battle ap-
pears to have taken place here with
the village of Sergy as the storm
center.
Americans ImpetuOus.
II the American spearhead is fur
Their advanced as a result OF the
present prolonged struggle. this.
coupled with French and British
flank operations 10 the east and
west. would create a situation that
might well force further German
attempts 70 escape development on
one side or the other OF the Aneri-
can thrust. it is believed. There was
some fear, however, that the i'm
petuosity Of the American troops
might lead them too far forward in
case Of renewed success. placing
them in danger IN their turn OF
squeeze operations by the enemy.
In any case, it could not be seen
clearly tonight whether the pres
ent enemy resistance is along q def
mite line Of defense he has estab-
lished, or is merely a screen behind
which he is struggling either TO pre-
pare strong defense positions along
the heights Of the Nesle or 10 or
ganize the mass Of reserves he has
/ assembled on this narrow front for
an attempt to drive back in force.
The report that i German divisions
had been concentrated in this sec
ton led 10 speculation az to the
answer the Germans are planning to
the striking victory Gen Foch has
thus far achieved
May Identify Troops Engaged.
Gen. March will again review the
situation tomorrow for newspaper
correspondents. 1t is doubtful that
he will do more than point out the
lines as shown by the last official ad-
vices. So far he has avoided in SIM
/ liar talks any speculation as to enc
nv purposes or strategic possibil!-
ties that are not obvious from a
glance at the map. II is very pos
sible. however, that he viii be able
10 tell the country just what troops
I OF the American army haze been
engaged in the operations OF the
last few days that have added new
pages of achievement to American
military history.
Sec'y Baker said today that he
heartily favored announcement or
the specific units engaged in such
operations as the battle cf Sergy
or the crossing Of the Ourcq.
Mr.. Baker also anticipated tina,
Gen. March would be prepared 70
detail the supplemental regulations
on which he has been Al work.
which VIII complete the merging Of
all branches OF the army regular,
national army or national guard,
into a single army. This IS already
largely an accom- plished fast under
an opinion rendered by the acting
Judge advocate general. Brig. Gen.
Ancell. months ago. in which IL was
held that there was but one army,
the army OF the United States and
that every element Of il should be
| interchange bic. regardless Of its