Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-08-06
FOE EFFORTS
TO DISLODGE
Them FUTILE
French and Americans
Beyond River Beat
Off German Attacks.


which crossed from the south
bank. The official statement
from the war Office today also
reports a French advance TO
the AVre, north of MOntdidier.
The determined attacks which
the Germans have been deIiT-
ing against the allied advanced
guards north of the Yesle have
failed to disturb the temporary
stabilizatiOn of the Vesle front.
The allied command Is retain
ing the initiative in these Op-
eratiOns.
With the French Army in Francs.
Aug. (Morning )-(By the Asso-
ciated Press. THE German crown
prince is now engaged in recon
stituting his shattered divisions be-
hind the lines with the aid of the
remainder of the 1919 recruits, in
the opinion of General Mangin.
whose army played such a brilliant
part in forcing the German re-
treat from the Marne.
Forces Badly Shattered.
Some of the German divisions
which took part in this battle had
their company strength reduced TO
less than fifty men, some other
companies being still further de-
pleted in numbers. In addition
some of the best divisions OF
Crown Prince Rupprecht of Ba-
Varia were used in the battle, hav-
ing been loaned the crown prince
from the armies further north.
Guns Used Freely.
With the American Army on the
Vesle, August 6, s a. m.-(By The
lAssociated Press)-The Germans
along the line opposite the Asaeri-
| cans west of Ffsmes used their
guns freely yesterday afternoon in
an apparent attempt to discourage
the Americans and their French al
lies from further aggressive efforts.
The Germans were handicapped
in this effort by the misty, rainy
weather conditions. About mid
afternoon, many German shells
which threw out black smoke
! when exploding were whirled
I toward cross roads and other OBJ
jectiyes to gauge the range from
the smoke clouds.
Late in the afternoon, the Ger
mans began using mustard gas,
sneeze gas and some chocolate gas
SO named from the odor. These
| gas attacks were ineffective. New
/ ertheless the Germans were per-
sistent They combed the hills bor-
dering the Vesle with gas shells.
| Darkness came and with it more
lain. The Germans kept pounding
away after dark, but for every
shell the enemy sent in, the Ameri-
cans sent across a half dozen or
more and never said good night.
(By The Associated Press.b
On the Reims-Soissons front, the
situation has been stabilized for the
moment while the opposing forces
prepare for further movements.
Big Guns Wage Battle.
Heavy artillery duels and patrol
actions are in progress along the
Nesle. French and American
! troops have crossed TO the north
of the river at various points. The
enemy has failed in attempts 20
prevent these incursions. Flsmes.
! in the center of the line and which
/ is held by the Americans apparent
ly is the especial mark Of the Ger
man gunners and they are bora
| harding it violently. The Ameri-
cans, however, maintain their posi-
| tion and have even sent patrols
across the river at this point
Huns to Retreat Further.
In allied capitals it is not be
lieved that gthe German crown
prince will attempt 10 stand long
on the northern bank OF the Yes
/ le, but will soon retire to prepared
/ positions north of the Aisne. Tbs
/ Vesle line is capable of being out
| flanked without much effort and
| it would seem the part OF wisdom
( for the enemy to withdraw to be
/ hind the Aisne.
FOch Plans Unknown.
General Foch has given no indi-
cation of his plans. The activity
along the Vesle lends color TO the
/ opinion that he is not yet through
with the crown prince and that the
! Germans between scissors and
[ Reims WIN have to give more
/ ground. Around the ends OF this
sector OF the battlefront there has
/ ~ De-