The Colorado statesman., 1918-08-17

vance of the infantry. Thus the In
valuable element of surprise was OBJ
tanned, and the terrain was not torn
up by shells in way TO make the
progress of the troops difficult. In
fact, the allies were able to carry their
artillery right along with them, de-
spite the rapidity OF their movements.
The airmen went into the fight In
great numbers and more darlngly than
ever before. Big squadrOns flying low
over the retreating Boches continually
harassed them with bombs and ma
chine gun fire, throwing them into ut
ter disorder and smashing their trans
port trains. The aviators also direct
ed the movements of the tanks and
often brought them ammunition. The
service rendered by them, however,
vast costly, for in the first three days
more than fifty British planes were re-
ported missing, most of them being
shot down from the ground.
If one may have confidence in the
opinion of trained observers, there is
every reason to be exultant over the re-
salts of the two offensives directed by
Marshal Foch. He is following out his
policy of hitting continuously and hard
and shows no intention of permitting
the Huns to have any rest, now that
he has them on the defensive. The
war isn't over by any means, but the
advantage has gone over to the allies
and they propose to keep it. To do
this requires that our efforts be sus-
tainer and greater than ever There
must be no relaxation at home, as
there will be none in the war zone.
Shouting over the victories won Will
not help to win those that are neces-
sary in the future.
-
The defeated but not disorganiZed
Huns between Soissons and Reims, as
was predicted, gathered their strength
for pause in their retreat between
the yesle and the Aisne. Their guns
were brought into play from the plat
eau in that regicn which commands
the Vesle valley. The Germans, in
deed, made strenuous attempts to pre-
vent the French and Americans from
crossing the Vesle, especially in the
vicinity of Fismes, but numerous rela-
lively small units forced the crossings
and held onto their new positions de-
spite furious counter-attacks. These
operations were mostly between
Braisne and Fismes. Up to the close
of the week Marshal Foch had not
tried to send any very large forces
across the river probably waiting I'M
til his artillery could drive the Huns
from the nearer hills to the north.
The Germans were using only medium
caliber guns, which was taken to mean
that their heavier artillery was being
placed north of the Aisne to defend
that line for there seemed little doubt
that they would be forced that far
north before very long. Their position
south of the Aisne was said to be real
ly untenable though seemingly strong.
At the west end of the line the French
and Americans We're steadily pushing
east along the AiSne, and at the east
end Immediately north of Reims the
French made considerable advance be-
tween the railways running to Laon
and Rethel.
The city of Fismes, which was so
galIantly taken by the Americans, was
as CALAMITY held against all attacks,
though the Germans deluged it with
explosive and gas shells. The machine
gun and rifle fire of the Yankees was
so accurate as to arouse the admira-
ton of their allies.
-H-
Authorities admit that the kaiser's
strength is still prodigious and that he
has large reserves, but all unite in as
serting that he has passed beyond the
high point of power and efficiency and
can never regain numerical supremacy,
nor can he ever again have the oppor-
tunity to achieve a victory that was
his two months ago. Those of his peo-
pie who know the truth now admit
that his ultimate defeat is certainty.
The more fearless papers of Germany
and Austria do not hesitate to say this
plainly. The military and pan-German
leaders are held responsible, and as
their only hope lies in administering
to the allies the crushing blow so long
promised by them, 1t is reasonable to
expect another great Hun offensive be-
fore long. That is, If Marshal Foch
gives them a chance, which doesn't
seem to be part of his present