The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-07-19
COOPERATION OF ALLIES
American Troops and
French Sweeping All
Before Them.
BIGGEST LAUNCHED
Believed to Be Passing
Of the Initiative From
the Germans to Side
Of Democracy.

Washington. July IS.-%aiHcrlCan
troops cooperating with the French.
tonight are sweeping all before them
in the greatest allied drive launched
on the Western front since the British
attack on Cambria in the autumn of
1917.
Latest reports to the war depart
ment from General Pershing declared
the counter offensive. having attained
all ohjeetives originally laid down,
still was In progress.
Secretary of War Baker issued the
following statement:
The war department has received
from General Pershing an official con-
firmation of the opening of the coun-
along the lines carried
in the newspaper dispatches. Ameri-
can troops are participating. both as
complete divisions and as units, In as
ISOLATION with the French.
THE first detectives seem every
where to have been attained. and
while no accurate count has been
made. il Is clear that many prisoners
have been taken and guns and other
war material captured.
Our official reports also confirm
the fact that the American soldiers ad-
vaneed with the greatest dash and
gallantry and were still advancing
when last heard from"
Approximately 100000 Americans
are understood to be engaged I'm the
operation. both as shock troops and
as reserves and supply units.
Up to the time when Pershing last
reported, thousands OF Germans had
been made prisoner and more than n
score OF field guns captured. 1t is the
first instance of heavy guns taken
from the enemy ON the Western front
this year.
Tremendous possibilities are FORE
seen by the military experts in
WashinGton-aliieda as well as Amerf-
can. Many believe IL marks a COM
plete passing Of the initiative from
the Germans to the allies. Most Of
them agree that 1t will compel n with
drawal Of the enemy In the Scissors
Rheims salient and a consequent re-
moval Of the menace to Paris.
Practically all is one in the convtc-
ton that American forces in today's
tremendous operation have establish
ed themselves henceforth as the pace
makers for all the allied forces along
a certain path to victory
Disastrous to Huns.
The effect upon the German armies
Is expected 10 be enormous. Upon the
war-weary. disillusioned German ma
ton, it is anticipated the effect will be
well nigh disastrous. No one in re-
sponsihle position goes SO far as to
predict that today's turn of the tide
means the beginning OF the end. But
with victory perched high on the al
lied colors. officials believe that por-
tentious events are in the making to
seal the fate Of the rulers who would
be gods.
The German armies and the German
people, 1t Is believed here. cannot be
fooled into the belief that todays
events are by way of accident. They
must be convinced. however. that
there is a new foe in the field, against
which all the boosted efficiency of the
German army cannot avail in the final
reckoning.
American troops. hich they con-
temptuously regardeV% blocked COM
rletely the pathway Of the kaiser's
latest offensive. And American troops
In the vanguard of today's advance,
have made the boches turn tail and
must be cast aside. for the Americans,
it is pointed out. are following new
tactics.
Incidentally. 1t became known to-
day that the movement of American
troops to France this month will ex-
coed all previous records In the all
ready precedented achievement of
transportation. Indications now are
that IL the war goes another year as
MIST experts agree,-ihe United States
may have in France an army second
in size only TO that of France,
OF tremendous importance to dis
passionate observers here in Washing
ton, shoulder strapped strategists of
the general stan and the army college
lis the evidence developed by today
stroke that at last General Foch.
thanks to the superhuman efforts of
the United States in moving troops
across the Atlantic. has sufficient re-
serNeA-in- hiS-acn1r- to-prnceed- from
now on to develop offensive operations
al aicng the line fr m f,a,iders to
Lorraine.
Is First Attempt.
In launching a twenty-five mile
frontal attack In one sector while an
other sector is under heavy attack. is
which the allies have never
before been able to do. Volumes are
spoken in the simple fact that it was
unnecessary for Foch to weaken his
line at any point in order to under
take todsy's operation. Not single
unit of the 100000 British forces de-
Tending the approached to the chan
mel ports had to be disturbed For
once the allied world can look for
ward confidently to the day. near at
hand, when the German armies on all
fronts will, be on the defensive.
In the immediate foreground the