Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-06
UNABLE TOPREVENT
. CROSSING OF VESLE
BY F0CH'S Forces
Americans and French Ex-
tend Lines Between Fis--r
mes and Muizon.
GERMANS ARE NOT EXPECTED
TO STAND SOUTH OF AlSNE
Paris Official Conmunique Re
ports Situation Unchanged
on Battle Front.
RUPPRECHT's BIG GUNS ACTIVE
Hun Submarine Sinks British Ambu-
lance Steamer Carrying Sick
and Wounded.
GERMANS ARE NOT EXPECTED
TO STAND SOUTH OF AlSNE
RUPPRECHT's BIG GUNS ACTIVE
IBy Associated Press.

tBy Associated Prcss1 l-LEe
The Germans now are imposing
strong opposition to the further ads
vance of the allied troops along the
NeSle River from the east of Soissons
to the region west of Rheims. ~ =,r.
Meantime. however. the main bodies
ot the enemy army continue to make
their way toward the Aisne. to- tho
north of which stream they hope some
where to reach a haven of safety from
the persistent onslaught of the Annex
lean, French. British and Italian
troops. who. in less than three weeks
have all but hlotted out the Soissons-
Rheims salient.
notwithstanding tho bringing into
play BY the enemy of large numbers
of machine guns and artillery of
heavier caliber and the employment of
large numbers of picked troops. In
cludinG the well-tried Prussian Guard
and the Bavarians, and in spite of the
fact that the rains have sent the Veslc
out of bounds and turned the lowlands
into Quagmires, the Americans and the
other allied troops have forced cross
ings of the river at number OF new
points and on the north side OF the
stream are engaging the enemy. s
The latest French official communion
ton, which recently has been extremely
modest in chronic!inE gains made by
the allies. says that Monday saw only
local engagements. and that the situ-
alton on the battle front is without
change. Correspondents with the al
lied hea adQuarters, however, assert that
at several points between Sermoise.
which lies to the east OF Soissons, and
Fismes. and between Fismes and Mui.
ha ANA l.N
taken further ground across the Vesle
and have nullificd German counter
attacks delivered in an endeavor to
recoup the losses. Between Muizon
and Champgny the Prussian Guard
and the Bavarians again suffered heavy
casualties in their efforts to hold back
their antagonists ss.f.
The Germans jealously are guarding
this particular part of the line. an adj
vance through which to any consider
able depth would compel them entirely
to lose their hold on the territorY-jn
which they are intrenched around. the
shell-torn city of Rheims. In addi-
tion to the heavy infantry actions here.
violent bombardments also are in pro-
grcss.
IL is not expected in allied military
circles that it is the purpose or. the
Germans to turn about and face their
enemies south OF the Aisne The thtll
region to the north OF the AisRe4I
probably the old Chemin des- Danes
battle front-is considered the more
probable sector on which the crown
prince will elect again to test the met
tie of the men OF General Foeh's COM
mand.
IMPORTANT CHANCES
1t is not beyond the realm of posi-
bIlity that the greater portion OF the
western battle front shortly may .un:
derso material changes in positions
From the southeast OF Amiens. near
Montdidier. northward to the region
around Ypres the German front seems
all atremble with expectancy In ad-
dition to retreat near Montdidier ia
the west bank of the Avre River retro
grade movements in the face of at
tacks around Albert and an evacuation
OF territory over front of Ealfna
mile north Of La Bassee Canal, the Ger
mans are nervously bombarding British
and French positions al various points.
possibly with the idea of ascertainins
their strength. The Rethunc. La Bas.
see. Hazebrouckk and Ypres sectors are
being particularly chosen for the at.
tchtion or the German artillerymen.
Just what the Germans have in rira
cannct be foretold. 1T is known how
ever. that Crown Prince Eupprerht OF
Bavaria. during the early stages Ut The
allied offensive on the Scissors Rhciip,
sector. detached large numbers nf his
men and sent them to the aid of hf;
sorely tried imperial cousin, the Ger.
man Crown Prince. thereby wcoSen-
ms his line. while Field Marshal HaiS.s
front was not materially touched by
Withdrawals. 1t is not Improbable
therefore. that Rupprecht Is worrying
somewhat over this diminution In
strength. and already has placed bar.
riers between himself and the ftrces
fronting hin, to ward Oft possible IT.
tacKs. and is endeavoring TO asc.r-
tain what chances he has 20 hold other
positions from which he had intended
ultimately TO launch drive towLrd
the channel ports.
German submarine has sunk .ba
British ambulance steamer warilda as
the vessel waa homeward bound tren,
France with rick and wounded. e.A