Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-07-26
A Last Titanic Clash?

Arhtinr during the last seven days.
since The counter-attack began.
These Berlin messag es, sent out TO
soften the blow II defeat to the peo-
Die OF Germany, should not cause
panic in American homes for they
are largely fairy stories. Our read
or. should not misunderstand or
purpose We have no wish to carry
false hope 10 the friends Of boys now
in France for all must expect that
casualty lists will be long after such
warfare as now underway in the
Scissors Chateau Thicrry Rheims
triangle Many OF our brave boys
will not return 10 us. and very many
oill come back not as they left US in
perfect physical condition.
But a moments consideration cf
these German reports satisfies us that
they are ridiculous in their falsity.
In the hrst place, II the large num-
bers NJ T. s. troops reported swept
down nv German guns had been put
OUT ~ battle none would be left. And
that there are some few very lively
boys left Is proven by the fact that
ever day they arc taking territory,
guns, supplies and prisoners from the
Germans. AZ tho same time the Ger
man high command is rushing re-
serves 70 the assistance Of the crown
princes army.
n Hundreds Of thousands" OF
Americans have been killed or
wounded. as the German official liars
tell their people. then they are run
ming for home because they are
scared Probably not more than a
quarter IT illion Americans were en-
ragged in the present counter blow.
and nearly II not quite a half mil
lion German troops have been rushei
10 the aid Of the crown princes army
already there. In the light of con-
tinued advance by the Americans and
French. the German official reports
are inconsistent. to say the least,
As matter very near our heart
we have studied every report, from
every source. with desire to rea III
a careful and conservative estimate
of conditions. for the benefit of on
readers who have not as good faclli-
tie. as are available to us. Day by
dsy we have attempted to put two
and two together. to balance con
fiicting reports and rumors. and Z
interpret tendencies and possibilitie!
for those who arc not in position t
DO 60
At tbs time. from the best analyst
we can make. American parents an.
friends OF boys at the front hav'
reasons for great rejoicing. Casual
ties IN the American fighting force
have been miraculously small as con
sidered in connection with the VIC
lent crashing. again and again. o
great army on great army.
This INJECTING OF heavy losses or
the enemy AT small cost to the allied
armies. Is largely explained by tn;
fact that the FIRST blow. which is al
ways most costly in casualties. was
a surprise to the enemy. Strong
German positions fell before the enc
my fully understood that the mos,
sanguinary battle OF the year wa:
on. French tanks in great number:
were employed in the FIRST dash 81
ekilfully that the enemy was sweep
out 81 hts positions and into TIL
hereafter without inficting CORE
spending damage upon the Franco
Americans.
Added TO this first consideration /:
that OF the enemy lighting a rear
guard action while handicapped by
lack Of transportation for its sup
plies and equipment. The first blow
had crippled enemy means of escape
from trap. The Germans have
fought desperately at the same tirn'
they were backing away and at
tempting to save their big guns ant
as much as possible Of the tremen
dous equipment they had brought
into the triangle. expecting to need i
In forcing their way through t.
Paris.
Perhaps our readers will better
understand when they consider thai
after the first so hours Of the counte,
attack begun one week ago toda,
Thursday by the allied forces. tn,
Germans had only one railway out o
the u" and over that road had t,
be carried all their wounded.
This Thursday afternoons dis
patches indicate that it may be tn,
scissors Chateau Thierry Rheim
U-trap that will end the war, in
stead OF the U-boats.
And now. with French guns bonn
harding Fere- en- Tardenois and tn
allied aero squadrons raining bomb
or this center Of German communi