Evening star., 1918-08-05
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY ON
THE AISNE-MARNE FRONT. August
From Rheims to Soissons. and far
back toward the Marne. the Ameri-
cansr rench and British were being
concentrated today for the battle of
that the great chase Of the Germans.
which began on July Is. is nearing an
end.
On the high ground beyond the
Vesle the enemy has planted his ar
tillery, and at different points has
challenged the allies to pursue him
across the river. Along the south
ern bank. Gen. Foch's armies have
slowed down-not so much because
they are unwilling to continue or be-
cause the job is distasteful-but to
give an opportunity to those out
distanced in the chase to catch up.
Line Shortened to Forty Miles.
On the line, now shortened until it
is about forty miles long. there was
almost no serious offensive until late
in the day, and the Germans have FUR
nished abundant evidence Of their IN
tention to take full advantage OF the
more favorable terrain. Their guns
were active early in the day in front
Of Fismes and in other locations. and
the character of the fire indicated the
emplacement of greater number OF
guns. including heavies. than they
have been able to operate In many
days. But, notwithstanding all their
apparent preparations. it is yet re-
ho fS
nothing more than plan 70 oner
q stiff resistance in order to gain
more time for q withdrawal to the
Aisne.
Near Fismes there still remain small
forces of German machine gunners,
but from these the allies expect no
serious resistance. The American and
great quantity of shells is being
hurled onto the tableland, where the
Germans are holding.
While the armies are moving ano
while preparations for what may be
a great struggle are being made, the
cost and gain of the big drive are
being estimated. There is no doubt
the Germans lost a large number OF
men. killed wounded and captured.
while the losses of the allies are con-
sidered negligible, especially in men
taken prisoner. Aside from the strate-
gic gains made by the allied armies,
the morale of the men has been won
derfully reinvigorated.
Huns Abandon Ammunition.
The path of the allied troops today
was through territory that betrayed
more and more the enormous sacrifice
made by the Germans in material. AZ y!
one depot near Fere-en-Tardenois, 1t
is estimated that more than $4.0o0.0o0
worth of ammunition and general
stores fell into the hands of the allies,
while the volume or supplies destroy
ed at this same depot is believed TO
have amounted to several times that
value. In the remains OF smaller de-
titles of stores and munitions yet in
good condition were found, the Ger
mans departing SO hastily they had
not time to finish their work Of de-
struction.
positions stand two German tanks
only slightly out of order, and from
every direction reports are reaching
general headquarters of the discov-
cry Of tanks. automobiles. clothing and
From the most forward line of the
country, depopulated OF civilians,
swarms with armed forces. The roads.
once the pride of France, have been
broken in huidreds of places by the
thousands of trucks, guns and march
ing men. But. all in order like one
of the great allied army moved for
ward, while reports of conditions
north of the Vesle indicate a con-
fusion such as might be expected of
an army driven as the German army
has been.