Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-18
AMERICAN TROOPS IN FRANCE NOW EAGERLY
BATTLING ON THREE IMPORTANT SECTORS
Prove Themselves the
Highest Type of
Fighters = Hard to
Hold in Restraint
No Indication of Big
German Drive = Rus
sian Armistice Ended

American troops in France are now,
in battle on three sectors-on their own
line east of ST. Mihiel and with the
French in Champagne and on one OF
the most famous battle fronts in the
world. where ruined Villages and de-
Nastated country generally tell the tale
Of hard-fought battles where the Ger
mans pushed forward their line. hut
French
And everywhere the Americans are
proving themselves fighters of the
highest calibre. winning comment from
high French officers for their business
like methods Of warfare and especially
their skill in the use of artillery. Al
ready the men are veterans for noth-
ing the Germans have in stock remains
to he shown them, except n great mass
attack, Thus far everything that has
been tried by the enemy against them
has been discounted and in some in
stances doubly discounted.
Eager to Be at Enemy
The only criticism thus far heard re-
gardins the Americans is their desire
TO be up and at the enemy. Like their
brothers ofsthe North--the Canadians
they are hard to hold in restraint AS
one distinguished French officer ex-
pressed it, They are too anxious to
get at grips with the enemy.
There still is no indication of the
near approach of the expected big Of
fensiNe by the Germans along the line
in France and Belgium. The opera
tons consist almost entirely of mutual
bomba rdmentS and minor attacks by
raiding parties. The roar of the big
guns is greatest in the Champagne sec
ton on several sectors. particularly
near Tahure, where one unit of the
Americans is fighting shoulder to
shoulder with the French.
Likewise all along the Italian front
from Lake Garda to the Middle of the
i, Piave river artillery engagements are
| in progress.
London Air Raid Failure
Saturday nights attempted air raid
! on London proved failure, only one
| German airplane of the six that came
across the water reaching the capita
| through the heavy barrage sent up by
| the British anti-aircraft batteries.
! One Of the enemy planes is reported to
! have been forced down into the seas as
result of the fight in the air with
! British aviators.
Russian Armistiee Ended
| The armistice between the Germans and
: the Russians has ended according TO an
official communicated III Berlin In CIV
| ing notice of the termination OF the
! agreement, to cease hostilities this com
I n.unicatio contains the grave statement
that Germany reserves free hand in ev-
cry direction. Whether the Germans an
ticipate an immediate attack on the Rus
slams has not developed but undoubtedly
| there is tense feeling between the German
military officials and the Bolshevki by
reason OF the fact that Trotzky, the Boil
shevik foreign minister. has not met the
idesires Of Germany and framed sepa-
rate peace treaty with that country. Dis
patches from Petrograd indicate that
German soldiers have declined to obey
their commanders to move to the French
front and even have given battle to
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