Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-07-17
GEN. FOCH MENACE
TO D0CHE POSITION
May Swing Flank Movement and
Trap Foe, Washington
Asserts.

Washington, July lI.-Jhe German
position here appears somewhat pre-
| carious II was agreed, on the basis of
unofficial, ms well M more moagre official
| accounts, that unless the Germans were
able without great delay TO extend their
advance and widen the dent they have
made in the French lines, General Foch
might seize the opportunity tn swing n
flank assault from the American positions
TO the west in an effort 10 trap the army
of General Won Boehm, which, Berlin
asserts, crossed the river here.
The official report from Paris Inst night
showed the Franco-Amcrican forces had
rccapturcd st. Agnan and the heights
dominating the Marine Valley behind the
German advanced positions. This led to
the hope among officers here That a
WIDE thanking movement would he pos
sible which would clear the south bank
of tho river Of tho enemy and probably
result in important captures of prison
crs. At any rate, the fact that the de
Tenders are hitting back hard appears
to make IT, certain that tho Germans
have been able to make only limited
Improvement of their position.
PROUD or AMERICAN TROOPS.
Considering the operations of the
American troops only. officials were
more than satisfied with the showing
thew were making. 1t il the first great
battle in which they have engaged, and
while previous indications have been
plentiful that they would sustain tho
best traditions OF the American eervice
SO far AZ courage and pure lighting
spirit went some confusion and dis
organization was 10 have been expected
If 1t developed, however, the swlftncss
and certainty with which counterat~
tacks were sent home shows that IT was
quickly overcome. to the disruption OF
tho cucmys plans on the right OF his
line lie II still held up there without
having nctted any gain from his start
Speculation as To the probable purpose
Of the German assault was general
MANY officers inclined tn the opinion
that it's real object WA to widen out
tho German line along the Marine 90
such an extent that later blow could
he delivered with Chateau Thicrry and
the line northwest Of there MS the centre
OF attack and reduction OF the Com
plegnc salient nE it's objective
DRIVE ron CoMrIEGNE.
In that event, a coincident attack
south of Amicns aimed directly at
Compicgne. IL WAS Thought, would have
been delivered and if Compiegne fell
the German advance could either be
directed against Paris or the scene
shifted for fresh blow Mt the channel
ports through the British lines IL the
north
So far rs the present drive goes, much |
satisfaction is taken here IN the fact |
that the German right ran into an alb |
rupt check against the Americans who |
still hold what will be the very centre |
Of assault If new thrust at Paris IS To |
follow the present effort.
Secretary Baker last night authorized |
thus statement:
Dispatches received from General Per |
shinr and General Bliss confirm the press |
account of Yesterday 3 fighting American |
troops west Of Sur-Meln counterattackcd, |
captured prisoners. established and are |
holding their advanced position. Ger |
manv's barragc was met by countcrhar- |
rage. which in many places prevented the |
advance Of their infantry. Full reports |
covering the entire fronts arc, OF course, |
not vet available The general situation |
This morning is regarded rs satisfactory.
HARD BIow TO COME
The 6rSt day in such baltic is, II !
'ourSc, merely general advance guard |
acton The great pressure OF reserves /
and concentrated masses IS still 10 be |
ookcd for.
President Wilson again abandoned his
usual morning round Of golf yesterday and
remained ut the White House, hearing
reports from the front as they came in.
lie was up late last night following
both official and unofficial advIces closely.
HUNS COUNTED on SWEEP.
A dispatch from Paris last night says:
According TO orders found ON captured
prisoners. the troops of the crown prince
we're supposed TO camp on the evening of
he 18th at Epcnay and on the 10th at
-halons-sllr- Marine and on the 18th 1T
Sezanne II is seen that the Germans
are far from having reached their desti-w
nations, which consisted in encircling
.hc mountain near Rheims on the left
and right, so as 10 establish base ON
he Marine for future operations.
Nevertheless, the imperial general
headquarters made use Of all the means
II It's disposal to obtain decision. Thus
{ brought into line from thirty to thir-
y-fve divisions, that is To say, about
me division for every two kilometers of
he front "