Evening star., 1918-06-11

point that one Of the principal allied
aims is to destroy the maximum num-
ber Of the enemy troops engaged.
The Echo de Paris says that Gems.
Foch and Petain know the enemy's
beyond which positions he cannot
advance further, while the Matin
argues that an offensive conducted at
sucn price cannot be very long
continued.
Premier Clemenceau conferred with
several of the generals at the front
yesterday and brought back with
him. 1t is declared, very reassuring
news of the situation. The informa-
ton which he gathered confirmed the
i, reports of the enormous losses being
suffered by the Germans.
The primary object Of the present
German operations is to reduce the
salient left standing between the
gains made in the March and May
offensive. Until that is effected he
cannot proceed with his plan for
march on Paris.
Both the strenuous and, on the
whole, effective resistance of the
French and the furious efforts Of the
Germans are explained by the fact
that an enemy success would involve
the retirement of the French forces
defending the line between the Aisne
, and the Marne. threaten both flanks
with development and open to the
Germans the main roads to Paris
from Compiegne, Villers Cotterets
and Chateau Thierry.
Germans Face Difficulties.
By the Associated Press.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE, June 1.-THE difficulties
confronting the enemy are very great
, In the nature of the country he has now
in h 1ri IN
comprises sharp hills. deep valleys and
thick woods. Where his most pro-
neunced success has been made, in
the center Of the battlefield the ground
forms a sort of hollow, through which
runs the main road from Senlis to
Roye and the Compiegne-Roye rail-
/ road.
Prepared for Defense.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE. June 10.-Every foot the
; enemy advances now brings him far
ther into territory which is thor
prepared for defense. Therefore his
task becomes momentarily more diff
! cult.
The allied STATS are prepared to
meet every eventuality and display
the most perfect confidence in the
outcome.
The impression gained is that the
| powerful German smash has not
| brought the enemy the result he ex-
| pected. The allied line Is bent in the
center quite insignificantly and the
| resistance the French are opposing on
| the actual position of the combat. ap-
pears to be efficacious.
Desperate assaults with huge masses
| Of troops seem likely to continue at
least for some days. With the concen-
xva to-, ~ q q
| had been enabled to bring into line at
the point chosen for the attack it was
physically impossible for the defend
| ers to resist in their advanced posi-
| tions.
Allies Fall Back Coolly.
When the masses Of German infan-
spread lightly in the forward works
| fell back coolly. fighting yard by yard.
| to the actual line of resistance. They
held back the enemy Just sufficiently
, to make him show his strength and to
permit the main body of defenders to
make the proper disposition to meet
him.
Only at ono point was the real
French line forced to recede. and that
! was In the neighborhood of Ressons-
Sur -Matz.
Enemy Losses Horrible.
Enemy losses under the direct fire
of the French artillery have been
| horrible. Every time the allies coun-
ter attack they find the ground COW
cred with German dead. Ihroughout
the day tho enemy threw his greatest
pressure toward the center or the
allied line in an effort to gain as
much ground as possible southwark
In tho direction of Compeigne. Under
tho powerful push of the continual
ly reinforced enemy columns tae
allies were forced to give way a
little. but they fought tenaciously
for every inch Of ground.
An epic struggle occurred In the
vicinity Of Plcmont. where the small
garrison of dismounted caVaIrymen
soldiers who managed to get through
the German lines late yesterday de-
clnred that before they left the Ger
mans had delivered terrific assaults,
heavy losses for tho enemy: Several
small villages. including Merry, Bel
loy and st Mnure. changed owner
ship a number of times. but this
evening were In German hands;
At no moment Is 1t possible to say
| positively that this or that place Is
occupied by the enemy or the allies,
such IL the terrific nature of the con-
fict Ebbs and flows occur every
where. On the seiioy plateau tes s.nsna; nsn.i
hours. man tackling man in single
eombats.
Artillery Heavily Engaged.
Tho artillery is engaged more ac-
! lively than in any battle in long
while. The Germans have been able
TO bring forward field guns in consid-
erable number. The French artillery
fire is most violent and very destructive.
especially when turned against attack
ing enemy troops.
The saemy's principal vrogress yes