Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-17


Special Cable 70 Evening Public Ledger
Copyright, 1918, by Ne,D York Times Co.
London, July II.
1t Is now quite evident that the
Germans have failed to realize what
they set out to get in this latest often
sive. Information from prisoners and
captured documents shows that the
attack east Of Rheims was intended
to reach the Marne at Epernay and
Chalons, an advance of some twenty.
one miles, and 1t has failed to make
any material progress. While It is
too early to say that the German enort
southwest Of Rheims has been def
nttely brought to standstill. 1t cannot
now be very dangerous without sup
port on the plains Of Champagne.
In an offensive which is really sue
cessful, progress in the early stages is
rapid and continuous, and there Is
nothing more difficult in war as we
know II today than to restore mo-
mentum to an attack which has been
checked. Therefore, when we hear
that the gains which the enemy made
on either side of Dormans, where he
was most successful. have not been
materially extended since noon OF the
18th. there Is good ground for the hope
that this battle is destined to end IN
a definite failure for the enemy.
Army Of Won Mudra New
There are two new features in the
German afternoon communique. The
first Is the appearance OF the army or
Won Mudra to the east of Rheims.
Won Mudra has not up to the present
been under the Crown Princes COM
mand, and it Is possible that he may
have succeeded Fritz Won Below,
whose name does not appear, and VINO
was, when last heard of him, com.
manding an army between those OF
Won Einem and Won Boehm.
1t is also possible that new army
may have been especially formed for
this battle and placed under Won
Mudra. which would mean that very
special importance was attached to
this offensive AS to this we must at
present withhold judgment.
The second point is the mention of
survey troops, who were apparently
employed in identifying the positions
Of and finding the ranges TO the
French guns. There is nothing in
this of which we were not aware. but
il is the first time the Germans have
mentioned the employment of their
specialists.
We know that General Foch had all
his measures ready to meet the Grown
Princes efforts. OF these the chief in
addition TO the ordinary precaution Of
having adequate reserves ready and in
place, was to start greater counter
bomEardment as soon as the enemy be-
gan his artillery preparation for the at
tack The Germans seem to have adopted
their usual method of assembling their
assaulting columns close behind their
front lime trenches. and these must have
afforded an admirable target for the
French and American batteries A Coun-
ter deluge of shells falling among troops
In that most trying period of soldiers
life, when he is waiting anxiously to go
over the top. cannot but have been most
disconcerting. and it is probably to this
as much as to any other cause that the
failure OF the enemy's scheme is due.
Such an antidote to those methods Of
attack which the enemy has hitherto in
the campaign of this year employed with
great success depends upon obtaining
accurate information Of his plans, and
this time. at least, the Allies had such
information. and General F'och was
therefore able to have his batteries in
readiness.
The forces which the Germans have
so far thrown into battle are at present
estimated at about thirty divisions (this
Is far under the French oficial esti-
mates), of which some seventeen or
eighteen would have normally been hold
ing the line on the front of attack, and
therefore 1t Is not yet safe to assume
that more than twelve divisions have
been taken from the German reserves.
II this is correct. and it ia at the
moment the best available estimate, then
the enemy certainly still has large
forces which he can employ in the at
tack, and 1t would be unwise to jump to
suffered cannot but have a most depres,
sing effect both on their troops and on
their people.
the conclusion that all danger is over.
But check such as the Germans have
1t must radically affect Hindenburgs s